By Emman Ovuakporie

ABUJA—HOUSE of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs has invited officials of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to appear before it to explain how an alleged N605million zonal intervention fund allocated to the ministry suddenly got missing.

Inside sources close to the committee told Vanguard that immediately the House reconvenes in January 2015, the officials must trace the said money.

According to one of the sources, the money allocated to the ministry was to ensure that certain vital infrastructural development projects nearing completion are completed before next year’s general election.

The source said, “We are inviting all the parties involved unfailingly by third week of January and all avenues would be explored to get positive results. As at last week Thursday where the money is domiciled cannot be confirmed by the officials of the ministry”.

“We’ve asked questions on where the money was kept but nobody is willing to divulge any information on where the money was kept”.

“And the projects scattered all over the region are begging for attention while such a huge amount has grown wings into no specific account”.

“Contractors that monies due to them are yet to be paid are already threatening to abandon sites to register their anger”.

Another source privy to this development told Vanguard that”we are not going to rest on our oars until we achieve results on this very sensitive issue as all members of our committee vowed to get to the bottom of this matter as soon as we resume next year”.

“A date will soon be communicated to all the top officials of the ministry which would be made public before the end of this year”.

“We will ensure that the missing is located before the end of next month,” the assured.

All attempts to reach the chairman of the committee, Warman Ogoriba, PDP, Bayelsa, to confirm the position of his committee on the missing money failed as all his lines were switched off as at press time.