The Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Omotayo Alasoadura, has denied claims that his office was collecting N405,000 from individuals to secure contracts.

According to the minister, reports claimed that his office was charging about N55,000 as contract registration fee and about N350,000 for the collection of letters of award of contracts.

Alasoadura, who spoke through the Director of Press in the ministry, Deworitse Patricia, warned the public that neither him nor the ministry awards contracts on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) or any other one for that matter.

The ministry’s statement read: “The attention of the Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Senator Donald Omotayo Alasoadura, has been drawn to the activities of some unscrupulous individuals on Facebook who claim that the office of the Honourable Minister of State is purportedly registering companies to secure contracts in respect of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) office.

“Information reaching us shows that these faceless individuals charge about N55,000 as Contract Registration Fee and about N350,000 for the collection of letters of award of contracts.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, contracts in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs are procured through due process only and the Hon. Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs has nothing to do with the SDG office which is under the direct control of the Presidency.”