The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has
confirmed that Ibanga Bassey Etang, its late executive director of
finance and administration, died of complications from COVID-19. After
the death
of Etang, the commission shut its head office in Port
Harcourt, Rivers state capital, and asked its staff to go on
self-isolation immediately.
This had fuelled speculations that Etang died from complications of
COVID-19 but the commission had asked the public to disregard reports on
the cause of the death of its director.
But in a statement on Tuesday, Charles Odili, NDDC’s director of
corporate affairs, said the family of the deceased authorised the
commission to announce that the late executive director tested positive
for COVID-19.
“The Rivers State Ministry of Health has written to the Commission to
also confirm the cause of death resulting from complications
attributable to COVID-19,” he said.
“The ministry has, therefore, directed the Commission to order all
management staff to go into self-isolation for a period of 14 days with
effects from today, While seeking the cooperation of the organisation in
tracing staff and contractors who have had close contact with the
deceased.
“During the meeting with the family, they expressed fervent desire, that
the death of the Executive Director should not be politicised, wishing
to be left alone to mourn with dignity. This also is the position of the
Commission.
“We pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our Executive Director Finance and Administration, Elder lbanga Bassey Etang.”
The director’s death happened during the forensic audit of the commission’s activities as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In October 2019, the president directed an audit of the commission’s activities from 2001 to 2019.
Last week, the senate set up an ad hoc committee to probe the interim
management committee of the NDDC over alleged mismanagement of N40
billion.
