NDDC board to be inaugurated soon, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says a board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will soon be inaugurated.

He said this on Thursday while declaring open a retreat for management of the ministry of Niger Delta affairs, at the state house conference centre.

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

The directive came amid allegations of fund mismanagement levelled against Kemebradikumo Pondei, the then-acting managing director of NDDC, which led to his sack.

The forensic report — which revealed N6 trillion was approved by the federal government within the 18-year period under review — was presented to Buhari in September 2021.

In January 2022, Ita Enang, senior special assistant to the president on Niger Delta affairs, had said the federal government would soon release a white paper on the report of the forensic audit of the NDDC.

Represented by Muazu Sambo, minister of transportation, Buhari said the implementation of the recommendations, following the audit, is ongoing in phases, adding that the process will soon usher in a new management and board for the commission.

He also warned against violating procurement laws when carrying out projects, adding that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.

“Henceforth, fraudulent practices and violation of the procurement laws will be meted with appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the public procurement act,” he said.

“Correct whatever irregularities that existed in the past, and thereby attain an effective and prosperous working relationship for the best interest of the region, and the nation at large.

“I urge all well-meaning Nigerians, especially the Niger Deltans, to exercise restraint and ensure a conducive and secured environment for implementation of the several developmental projects and programmes in the region.”

The president also said the ongoing east-west road project is one of the largest infrastructural projects in the country, adding that it is strategic in connecting Nigeria’s busiest cities.

He said the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries have been directed to fix section four of the road.

“This should be expeditiously addressed considering the importance of the road to our national economy,” he added.

On his part, Umana Umana, minister of Niger Delta affairs, said the retreat is an “eloquent testimony” of the commitment of the federal government to addressing the under-development in the Niger Delta.