TheCable

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has enlisted the support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the forensic audit of the commission by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In October, the president had ordered a forensic probe of the commission since its inception in 2001.

When Kemebradikumo Pondei, acting managing director of the commission, visited the Port Harcourt zonal office of the EFCC on Tuesday, he sought the assistance of the anti-graft agency.

Pondei, who said he was at the EFCC to “establish good working relationship with the commission”, expressed the need for the auditors to interface with the anti-graft agency.

He also requested the commission’s assistance in looking at cases of contract awarded and paid for but not executed.

“We have reports of projects awarded and paid for but not executed. There is need for us to work on these cases,” he said.

Pondei said petitions, both genuine and frivolous, from communities on abandoned projects, have become a source of distraction to the management committee.

He, therefore, requested a status report on all NDDC cases being investigated by the EFCC.

In his remarks, Usman Imam, the EFCC zonal head, described the visit by the NDDC team as remarkable, noting that it will go a long way in helping to bridge whatever gaps exist between the agencies.

While congratulating the interim management committee on its appointment, Imam said its assignment appears daunting in the face of extreme negative public perception of the agency.

He said when he assumed office as zonal head in Port Harcourt, he believed that NDDC was next to oil bunkering when it comes to corruption.

“I believe government is mindful of this negative image which is the reason for the appointment of the interim management committee and the institution of a forensic audit,” he said.

He urged the management of NDDC to strive to change the perception by delivering on the mandate given to it by the president.