South South Governors Back Buhari On Audit Of NDDC

The South-South Governors Forum has given its backing to the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, disclosed this on Friday in a statement on his verified Facebook page.

Recall that Buhari, had on Thursday, spoken on the drama involving the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, former interim Managing Director of the NDDC, Ms Joi Nunieh, as well as the National Assembly and the current leadership of the NDDC over the forensic audit of the multi-billion agency.

Buhari said the investigation into the affairs of the commission must continue, calling for a coordinated approach by all the actors to ensure that the truth was unearthed.

The president called on, in particular, security agencies and other actors to share information, all targeting at arriving at the same objective of unravelling how billions of funds budgeted for the NDDC over time were spent.

Okowa noted that the backing of the South South governor for the presidential directive, was arrived at after due consultations with the other governors.

He said the forum believed that “the audit will help to reposition the NDDC to better deliver on its mandate for the good people of the Niger Delta region.”

The forum, according to the Delta governor, also gives its full support to the investigation of the commission by the senate.

Furthermore, the forum advised all the stakeholders in the current crisis in the  commission to refrain from utterances and actions that would breach the peace and security of the region.

It condemned Thursday’s attempt to abduct Ms Joi Nunieh, the immediate past Acting MD of the Commission, adding that it “was unwarranted, unnecessary, and uncalled for.”

Okowa also said “While we call on all the relevant security authorities to investigate this unfortunate development, let it be on record that we are neither in support of nor against any of the actors in this controversy.

“However, as responsible public servants and leaders in the Niger Delta, we are mindful of the implications her attempted abduction could have on the peace and security of the region.

“Finally, we wish to reiterate that both the forensic audit and the Senate investigation should continue and be concluded promptly, as we all want to see an NDDC that helps to accelerate the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region and enhance the living conditions of our people.”

Recall that last week, Akpabio and Nunieh had taken a dig at each other, both making allegations of corruption.

While Nunieh alleged that Akpabio attempted to force her to swear to an oath of secrecy in order to cover up illegal contracts, the minister had replied that the former MD had character problem and did not fit into the new NDDC envisaged by the Buhari administration.

She also alleged that Akpabio attempted to sexually harass her, an allegation that Akpabio had also denied.

On the other hand, the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, also had issues with the current management of the NDDC led by Prof Kemebrandikumo Pondei.

The House Committee on NDDC is investigating the N81.5billion the agency spent between January and this month.