Worried by the persistent criticisms of the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a forensic audit of the operations of the organization from 2001 to 2019.
The President gave the order, after a closed door meeting with governors of the states that make up the Commission, led by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Thursday in Abuja,
President Buhari said what is presently on the ground in the South south region does not justify the huge resources that have been made available to the organisation.
“I try to follow the Act setting up these institutions especially the NDDC. With the amount of money that the Federal Government has religiously allocated to the NDDC, we will like to see the results on the ground; those that are responsible for that have to explain certain issues.
“The projects said to have been done must be verifiable. You just cannot say you spent so much billions and when the place is visited, one cannot see the structures that have been done. The consultants must also prove that they are competent, “the President said.
President Buhari admitted that developing the Niger Delta area required enormous resources compared to other parts of the country with firmer lands.
Apart from the 13% derivation funds paid to oil producing states, federal government also allocate resources through budgetary provisions to the NDDC, as part of its intervention efforts
“I am acutely aware, with my experience, that projects in your area are very expensive; that is why if any job is given, we must make sure that the company is competent and has the capacity to do it well with experienced consultants,” the President added.
The President however said that he would wait for the report of the audit before deciding on the next line of action regarding the organisation.
Governor Dickson had earlier expressed the disappointment of other governors with the operations of the NDDC, which they said was characterised by poor choice of projects, shoddy handling, uncompleted jobs and lack of the required support for the efforts of the states and local government administration in the region covered by the organisation.
He, therefore, called for the repositioning of the NDDC in order to achieve the objectives for which it was set up.
The Governor of Bayelsa state had while briefing the State House Correspondents after meeting closed door meeting, expressed concerns over the crises in the NDDC, adding that “the President will find solutions to the issues soon”
“ We have expressed our concerns about development in the oil producing region and most of the issues we raised are well known to Mr. President and we know they are on top of it. We only hope that the issues will be addressed soon”
BusinessDay gathered however that some of the states were also not happy over appointments into the board of the NDDC, sparking off protests, a development that may affect operations in Oil-producing communities
Ondo State is said to have threatened to take government to court if the Federal Government fails to reverse plans to appoint an indigene of Delta State or any other state, except Ondo State, as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The state is calling on President Buhari to reverse to the rotational arrangement s provided for in the NDDC Establishment Act of July 2000.
Dickson while also speaking on the forthcoming November 16th Bayelsa Governorship election, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to provide a level playing field for all the candidates contesting the election
“ Bayelsa was known for its restiveness before I took over as Governor, but now, it is the most Peaceful and stable state in Nigeria, more peaceful than Abuja, and we are concerned about keeping it that way.
“Everybody is happy about the peace and development and will want to keep the place as peaceful. So, we call for free, fair, credible and peaceful election”
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
