President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed the intention to review the just-concluded audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
He also directed all the multinationals to remit all the outstanding funds to the commission in a transparent manner.
The president stated this on Thursday, December 30, 2021, during the virtual commissioning of the 1,050 male/female capacity Hostel built by the NDDC and handed over to the University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Buhari who regretted that the region has been subjected to underdevelopment and penury for over 20 years due to the selfish interest of some leaders promised to recover all the looted funds and ensure those found culpable are brought to book.
He said “we shall review the forensic audit. Going forward we shall ensure every recoverable kobo, is recovered for use in service of the people of this region and those found culpable shall face the Law.
“The lives of the people of the Niger Delta could be so much better, if the funding received by this commission since its inception, in billions of naira over the last 20 years, have been judiciously deployed in service of the people. The serial abuse, lack of delivery and what had become an entrenched institutional decay, was the reason why I called for the forensic audit.
“Therefore, going forward we shall ensure every recoverable kobo is recovered for use in service of the people of this region and those found culpable shall face the Law.
“I want to direct all statutory contributors to the NDDC to remit all outstanding funds to the Commission, and to ensure this is done transparently and according to laid down procedure and process.”
Speaking on the commissioned hostel, the president said, “the contract for the building of 1,050 capacity hostel for male and female students was awarded in 2004, but was abandoned.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio said the completion of the NDDC headquarters complex was an indication that the president is committed to improving the livelihood of people in the region adding that the president planned to reposition the commission before the end of his tenure in 2023.
He explained that the forensic audit revealed that 17,000 projects have been abandoned in the region adding that 77 roads and many health centers have so far been completed.
On his part, the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa said the new hostel project is the third time the President will be inaugurating an NDDC project this year, noting that the three projects were abandoned before the forensic audit of the commission.
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