TheCable

Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta affairs, says the final report of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be ready by the end of July.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 ordered a forensic audit of the NDDC’s operations from 2001 to 2019.

Kemebradikumo Pondei, the then-acting managing director of the commission, was sacked over allegations of mismanagement of funds, and in December 2020, the president appointed Effiong Akwa as the new head of the agency.

However, a new board is yet to be constituted for the commission, following the dissolution of the previous one in January 2020.

Speaking while fielding questions from state house correspondents on Tuesday at the presidential villa, Abuja, Akpabio said the final report will be submitted to the president for implementation.

The minister said action has been expedited on the process of constituting the NDDC board.

“We have fast-tracked the process of constituting the board; but we insist that the most important thing is not just the development of the Niger Delta region but how to reposition NDDC to ensure optimal performance as against the practice in the past,” he said.

“So, the forensic audit of NDDC is on course and it is progressing very well and I am happy with the progress made so far.

“And I am very certain that by end of July which is just a month and a few weeks away that the final result will be given to the president for implementation.

“And in terms of the composition of the board of the NDDC, that of course, we have fast-tracked the process and the national assembly will soon get the list.

“But that is not as important as the forensic audit which we are finally given a deadline which is July, that it will end.’’

He said he is hopeful that the new board will use the recommendations of forensic audit to work and reposition the commission.

The minister said his recent visit to the Niger Delta was not as result of pressure from any quarters but for the sake of peace in the region.

According to him, the region is critical to the economy of the country.

Akpabio said he had an interactive session with stakeholders in the region because any unrest in the region would have an adverse effect on Nigeria’s economy.

“And I think the example I set is what is being emulated now in the south-east—that there is need for those of us in government to go back home and interact with people at the grassroots,” he said.

“And then, explain things to them; so that we can stop the restiveness that we are witnessing in many zones of the country.

“So, my going to creeks to meet the traditional rulers and ex-agitators was in the interest of not just the security of the region but the peace of the region.

“And by implication, to ensure that critical infrastructure that can affect the economy of the nation were not tampered with; I think it was a step in the right direction.”