The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has paid $5,901,000 to 197 overseas scholarship beneficiaries of 2019.
Spokesman for the commission, Mr. Charles Odili who disclosed this in an interview on Monday also said payment procedure for 94 beneficiaries of 2018 was being processed.
He said among the 197 beneficiaries were 12 PHD – 2016 and 13 PHD – 2019 students, totaling 43, who got $30,000 each, amounting to $1,290,000.
He also said 154 MSC beneficiaries of 2019 were paid $30,000 each, amounting to $4, 420,000, bringing the total to $5,910,000.
He said 94 beneficiaries of 2018 still awaiting payment are made up of 40 PHD and 54 MSC students.
Reacting to the development, the Niger Delta Enterprise Initiative (NDEI) applauded the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godswill Akpabio and the Expanded Interim Management Committee (EIMC) of the commission for clearing the scholarship backlog.
“At a time when almost no Niger Delta State is engaged in Oversea Scholarship Programs, I commend NDDC for continuing to provide this badly needed investment in human and knowledge capital.”
“Our prayer is that these scholars will add value to the region as the years go by.
“NDDC should also make effort to see that fees and allowances are paid on a timely basis.
“A lot could go wrong when scholars are shortchanged in foreign lands.
“We call on governors of Niger Delta states to re-commence overseas scholarship programs and improve the quality of State owned universities. Kudos again to the Honorable Minister for the Niger Delta and EIMC,’ said the president of the group, Mr. George Kerley in a statement.
With Vanguard report
