The House of Representatives is set to probe alleged mismanagement of funds and other unwholesome practices in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and has summoned the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio and members of the new Interim Management Committee.
In a resolution passed on Tuesday after debating a motion titled “Need to Investigate the Alleged Financial Malfeasance and Other Activities in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC): sponsored by the Deputy Leader, Hon Peter Akpatason ,the House, however mandated the Committee on NDDC to, investigate all issues relating to misapplication and misappropriation of funds, especially N40 bn spent under two months by the Commission and report back to the House;
It also resolved to invite the Supervising Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, the Interim Management Committee ,to explain to the House, plans to ameliorate the effect of the present economic situation in the region.
Beyond the allegations of financial recklessness, there are also several protest letters and memos from contractors, stakeholders and public interest groups regarding alleged personnel layoffs and replacement with unqualified and inexperienced persons into strategic offices in the Commission thereby hampering efficiency and productivity;
For instance the lawmakers explained that they were alramed by claims that the Commission spent over Forty billion naira (40,000,000,000) within two-months without corresponding effect on the region
Disturbing as the expenditure appears, the legislators said 70% of the amount were allegedly made on emergency projects and completion of Commission’s headquarters building, without due regard to fiscal governance as provided in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and other extant Financial Regulations of the Federal government
Similarly the lawmakers are also alarmed that in the wake of Covid-19, .the commission awarded contracts for the supply of Hilux vehicles/ medical consumables valued at N4.8bn in clear breach of Sections 19, 25, 41 and 42 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007;
They faulted the forensic audit for which the Interim Management Committee (IMC) was set up, describing it as almost becoming a conduit for forensic looting
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