TheCable

A probe by the senate into the alleged mismanagement of funds by the interim management committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been delayed.

Speaking on the floor of the senate on Tuesday, Olubunmi Adetunbi, chairman of the ad hoc panel, requested a six-week period to conclude the probe, saying the committee only recently began to receive responses from the relevant stakeholders.

On May 5, the senate passed a resolution to probe the alleged mismanagement of N40 billion by the interim management and gave the ad hoc panel four weeks to submit its report.

The date for which the panel was to turn in its report has elapsed.

The chairman told his colleagues that they would need more time to do a “thorough” job.

“I’m glad to inform you that just a few days ago, we started receiving the responses from these stakeholders that will provide information to the committee,” he said.

“Just a few days ago, the responses of these stakeholders started to come in for the first time last week. This week we will receive as much information that the committee will need to do it’s work.

“For this reason I would like to seek the indulgence of the senate for an extension of time to enable us to receive all the information and documents that we need for the committee to be able to do a thorough job that has been given to us.

“I would like to seek extension for six weeks.”

Ruling on the request, Senate President Ahmad Lawan gave the panel four more weeks to conclude the probe.

“I will suggest four weeks, because given the initial time was four weeks but I will still have to put it to vote. We have listened to the chairman of the ad hoc committee on the investigation of the alleged NDDC financial crisis,” Lawan said.

“Part of the distractions are a series of write-ups in the media by the vested groups almost on a daily basis but unfortunately all these cannot stop the senate from forging ahead with an assignment backed by resolution and firmly within the ambit of its constitutional responsibilities.

“So, in their own interest, the earlier they stop the distractions the better, because our committee will forge ahead with the assignment.”

There have been allegations and counter-allegations following the decision of the senate to probe the NDDC.

The NDDC accused members of the national assembly of inserting over 500 non-existent projects into the agency’s 2019 budget.

The IMC is expected to undertake a forensic audit of the commission’s finances from 2001 to 2019.

President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the audit in October 2019.