The forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which was ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, will soon begin, Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, said.
Akpabio said that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) had assessed the firm which government has chosen for the audit and found them fit to be the Consulting Firm to lead the appointment of other forensic auditors for the NDDC audit spanning the period 2001- 2019.
The minister was speaking at the tripartite meeting with the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the lead Forensic Consultant and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja.
“We have received the approval of BPP to now commence the exercise,” he said.
The Minister said that the next task was to work in collaboration with the Ministry to bring in experienced and notable forensic auditors with an international reputation so that whatever report is produced will be accepted and enforceable within and outside the country.
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Olusade Adesola, Permanent Secretary, MNDA, in his remarks, explained that the meeting was to bring at par the various stakeholders in the forensic audit team, and address all areas of concern.
“If we recall, the directive of President was to address the issues of irregularities in NDDC, and the Auditor-General for the Federation Mkpe Ayine, interacted with the Consulting Firm to verify if they have the capacity to do the Job”.
The Executive Director Projects of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Chairman of NDDC Contracts Verification Committee, Cairo Ojougboh, described the presentation as thought-provoking, noting that the consulting firm was well equipped and deemed fit to carry out the forensic exercise.
Ojougboh clarified that NDDC is an agency under the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and that the forensic auditing is above the limit of the Commission to supervise, adding that the Ministry was the procuring entity but the Commission has to be carried along in the exercise.
Kabiru Ahmed, Lead forensic Consultant, Messrs Olumuyiwa Basiru & Company, during his presentation confirmed the readiness of the firm to commence the forensic audit and ensure that the Presidential Mandate was achieved.
