President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the federal had startedimplementing the recommendations of the forensic audit report conducted on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and submitted to him in September 2021.
President Buhari made the disclosure On Thursday at the kick-off of a two-day management retreat organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs at the Old Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, where he was represented by the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, Buhari assured that the board of directors for the commission would be appointed soon
He said: “In pursuance of our determination to curb corruption and in response to the call of the governors of South-South for a forensic audit of the NDDC, I undertook some critical reforms and requested a forensic audit of the NDDC from inception to 2019.
“The report of the audit has been submitted and implementation of its recommendations has commenced in phases.
”This process will soon usher in a new management and board for the commission.”
He also urged “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.”
He referred to the ongoing East-West Road project as one of the largest pieces of infrastructure in Nigeria, and would play a “strategic” role in connecting the region’s busiest commercial cities.
The president promising that the road will be completed before his regime ends.
He directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited and its subsidiaries to step in and execute Section 4 of the project (Eleme Roundabout to Onne junction) through the tax credit scheme.
“This should be expeditiously addressed considering the importance of the road to our national economy,” he added.
Continuing, President Buhari noted that Strategic Implementation Work Plan, a framework focusing on the objectives raised in the Federal Government’s 20-point Agenda and the Pan Niger Delta Forum’s 16-point Agenda, would be strengthened to provide the framework for coordination of development initiatives in the Niger Delta Region to achieve maximum impact, especially at this critical time.
He also directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to carry out a comprehensive staff audit of the commission, ensuring that it achieves right staffing and proper placement.
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