The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment in addressing the challenges militating against the delivery of the mandates of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami gave the assurance while receiving the report on the forensic audit of the NDDC in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
’’The welfare and socio-economic inclusion of the Niger Delta region is paramount to the development and security of the region and the country as a whole’’ he said.
President Buhari also said that the essence of the forensic audit is to ensure probity and accountability in the use of public funds.
According to President Buhari, between 2001 and 2019, the Nigerian government released over six trillion naira to the NDDC for the development of the region without commensurate results to show for it.
’’Government is particularly concerned with the colossal loss occasioned by the uncompleted and unverified development projects in the Niger Delta region despite the huge resources channelled in developing the region over the years’’ he said.
Holistic audit of NDDC
Remarking at the event, the Minister of the Niger Delta affairs, Godswill Akpabio said the immeasurable love President Buhari has for the people of the Niger Delta region informed the President’s decision to order for a holistic forensic audit of the NDDC.
’’To further demonstrate your commitment to conducting this historic exercise, you graciously provided the funds needed to ensure the exercise is hitch free’’ the Akpabio said.
To ensure probity of funds, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered for a holistic forensic audit of the activities of the Commission from inception in January 2001 to August 2019 as part of efforts to reposition the NDDC for effective service delivery.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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