REVEALED: Late NDDC Director, Bassey Etang Died Of COVID-19

The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has disclosed the cause of the death of its executive director of finance and administration, Bassey Etang.

The management said Etang died of complications arising from COVID-19.

The commission made this known on Tuesday in a statement by Charles Odili, its director of corporate affairs.

Odili said the commission got the approval of Etang’s family to make public the nature of his death and also to announce that he tested positive for COVID-19

“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,” he said.

“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.

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“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.”

The commission, following the death of Etang, shut its head office in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, and asked its staff to go on self-isolation immediately.

Etang reportedly died at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt after a brief illness.

Etang, a former Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government, resigned his appointment as Special Assistant to Governor Emmanuel Udom on Projects on April 9, 2018 and formally registered with the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his Etebi Ward 7.

He was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 19 as part of a five-member IMC led by Prof. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei.