 International oil companies operating in Nigeria owe $4 billion to an agency responsible for fostering development in the Niger Delta, the impoverished wetlands region where much of the industry is located, a minister said on Thursday. Tayo Alasoadura, minister of state for Niger Delta Affairs, said the debt to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had been accumulating over a long period of time, but did not name specific companies. “International oil companies are expected to pay 3% of their annual budget to NDDC as their major income but they have been defaulting for a long period of time,” Alasoadura told reporters. “Efforts are being made to get the outstanding payments which is up to $4 billion from them. […]