By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has said the final report of the forensic audit of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be ready by the end of July, 2021.
Mr Akpabio, who made this disclosure while fielding questions from State House correspondents on Tuesday, June 22, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the final report would be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for implementation.
365Daiy recalls that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in February 2020, approved the appointment of a lead consultant for the forensic audit of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Akpabio also informed newsmen that action had been expedited on the process of constitution of the board of NDDC but stressed 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 continued: “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 the end of July, which is just a month and a few weeks away, the final result will be given to the President for implementation.
“And in terms of the composition of the board of the NDDC, 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 was hopeful that the new board would use the recommendations of forensic audit to work and reposition the commission to address critical areas.
Akpabio cited the headquarters of the commission which was not connected to the national grid for 10 years to 15 years and the East-West Road as major areas which the NDDC ought to have taken interest in.
“So, I think, even NDDC should have intervened in the East-West road to ensure its completion because of the economic importance of the road,” he said.