Enter All Nooks, Crannies Of Niger Delta, Ascertain Utilization Of NDDC Funds Over The Years, Akpabio To Auditors

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Forensic Auditors to go through all the nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta region to ascertain the activities and utilization of funds allocated to NDDC over the years.

Akpabio stated this at the inauguration of the last batch of Eight (8) Forensic Auditors for the NDDC on Friday, held recently in his office in Abuja.

The Minister urged the Forensic Auditors to come up with a report that will serve as benchmark for repositioning the Commission and for other Interventionist Agencies to emulate.

He described the Forensic Audit as an important project by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to right the wrongs witnessed in the Agency and equally provide a strong base upon which a new NDDC will emerge.

He said, inspite of misplaced reservation and resistance by various interest groups from within and outside the Niger Delta region, the inauguration of the last batch of Eight (8) Forensic Auditors was a milestone in the quest to ensure the actualization of the presidential directives against all odds.

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Akpabio further said that the Forensic Auditing as directed by Mr. President  for the holistic examination of the Commission’s activities in the last 20 years does not only demonstrate Mr. President concern for the good people of the region, but also to ensure that the laudable initiative is not scuttled by those benefitting from the current situation to the detriment of the majority of the people of the region.

The minister expressed optimism that the forensic exercise as directed by President Buhari, would ensure a new NDDC that will be socially responsive and responsible to providing for the economic and infrastructural needs of the people in the region.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Babayo Ardo expressed the Ministry’s readiness to carry out President Muhammadu Buhari Agenda for the Niger Delta region and also commended the doggedness of the Minister in repositioning the Commission inspite of the dust raised by the process.

The Permanent Secretary noted that various Committees have been set up to enhance the process with provisions made at different States Offices to enable the interface between the Lead Forensic Auditor and other stakeholders.

He said the Ministry would monitor the progress of the audit on daily basis to ascertain its progress and pledge the Ministry’s support.

In his remarks, Chief Ede Dafinone, while speaking on behalf of the last batch of the Forensic Auditors assured the Minister of their readiness to work and deliver on the task assigned to them.

He assured the Ministry that they will be fully satisfied with the findings, promising that interim reports will be given from time to time to indicate the progress being made.

He thanked the Minister for the confidence reposed on them. 

The last batch of eight (8) Forensic Auditors inaugurated by the Honourable Minister includes Abdulrauf jimoh & Co, Jim Henry & Co, Buhari Bala & Co, Sonny Okon & Co, Haruna Yahaya & Co, Murix & Co, Henry Young & Co and Crowe Dafinone & Co, bringing the total approved audit firms to sixteen (16).