President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a speedy investigation into the scandal that rocks the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari ordered every investigative agency and auditing firm working with the National Assembly to intensify effort on the ongoing probe of the commission.
The President expressed his willingness to get to the root of the problem stalling the development of the region and its people in spite of the enormous national resources voted by the government every year for the purpose.
Also, President Buhari demanded better cooperation among the groups “to ensure that the administration’s effort to bring sanity, transparency, and accountability to the management of the large amount of resources dedicated to the development of the Niger Delta sub-region is not derailed.”
He said: “I am determined to get to the root of the problem undermining the development of the Niger Delta, in spite of the enormous national resources dedicated to this annually. This administration remains committed to bringing rapid, even and sustainable development to the region.
“All investigating agencies and auditing firms currently working collaboratively with National Assembly Committees to audit and reposition the NDDC must act with urgency and a sense of purpose, and ensure that I am kept informed of any and all actions being taken.
“Our determination to entrench transparency and accountability applies not only to the NDDC, but also to all other institutions of the Federal Government. We will not relent.”
It should be recalled that the President ordered a forensic audit of the NDDC from when it was created in October 2019. In May 2020, a seven-man ad hoc committee was set up by the National Assembly to investigate the alleged misappropriation of N40billion by Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the commission.
Since the probe started, there had been allegations and counter-allegations, majorly between the Acting MD 0f the commission, Ms. Joi Nunieh and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.
Nunieh alleged that Akpabio asked her to alter the dollars in the NDDC account and fire the Head of the commission’s legal team.
Also, Nunieh accused the Minister of sexual harassment, budget padding and awarding of no fewer than 30 contracts.
But the Minister had denied the allegations.
