BREAKING: NDDC MD, Pondei Faints Before Reps Committee (Video)

The Acting Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei on Monday fainted before the House of Representatives Committee.

The development led to drama at the venue of the committee as people tried to revive him.

Professor Pondei was being questioned over N536m paid to a group associate in the Niger Delta region.

He was quickly taken out of the hearing to the hospital.

Mr Pondei was answering questions posed by lawmakers when he slumped.

He appeared before the lawmakers who are probing the finances of the NDDC.

Mr Pondei’s unfortunate incident may lead to an extension of the probe which was initially slated for two days but is currently on its fourth day.

On Monday, a lawmaker, Shehu Koko, had asked Mr Pondei to explain the N642 million paid to a company known as Clear Point Communication.

The lawmaker also asked the NDDC chief to explain the N536 million paid to Save Life Campaign in the oil-rich region and to prove that they were all budgeted for in the 2019 Appropriation Act.

Mr Pondei told the lawmakers that N642 million paid to Clear Point Communication to train locals and to help locate and identify NDDC projects in the area.

He, however, could not confirm that the payments were budgeted for, asking the lawmakers to give him time to provide the budget.

In the process, he collapsed, sweating profusely and was rushed out of the venue of the hearing.

The hearing was then adjourned for 30 minutes.