NDDC confirms its late executive director died of COVID-19

By our reporter| The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday confirmed that Ibanga Bassey Etang, its late executive director of finance and administration, died of COVID-19 related complications.

A statement by Charles Odili, NDDC’s director of corporate affairs, said the family of the late executive director authorised the commission to make public the cause of his death.

The statement read in part, “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.”

“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.”

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, fuelling speculations he died of the novel coronavirus.