Commits to reposition NDDC to fast track development of Niger Delta
Admin l Thursday, August 27, 2020
PORT HARCOURT, Rivers, Nigeria – The Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) led by Acting Managing Director, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving 8 forensic field auditors to audit activities of the commission from 2001 to 2019.
The IMC is grateful to Mr. President for approving direct funding of the forensic audit from the Presidency in the absence of NDDC 2020 budget currently pending with the National Assembly.
In a statement by Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Charles Obi Odili, the NDDC thanked Mr. President for matching his words with action and for approving funding of the forensic exercise directly from the Presidency.
“We note that the President graciously approved this peculiar funding arrangement because he gave due consideration to the fact that the National Assembly has not passed the NDDC 2020 budget”, the NDDC IMC noted.
The statement added that with the funding challenge now settled, it is now on course to accelerate the tempo of the forensic audit.
“We are on course to accelerate the tempo of the forensic audit, which will cover the headquarters and the projects in the 9 NDDC mandate states, to ensure that the exercise is completed on time.
“We also thank Mr. President and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for the timely appointment of Mr. Effiong Akwa, as the new NDDC Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, EDFA”, the commission noted, adding that the sudden death of the former EDFA, Chief Ibanga Etang, had affected the processing of the payments for the NDDC Overseas Postgraduate scholarship programme.
“Payment of the fees and stipends of the students have now commenced, as all formalities with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, have been regularised.
“The IMC of the NDDC will continue with its mission to reposition and restructure the Commission to ensure that the mandate of fast-tracking the development of the Niger Delta region is achieved”, he said.
