Reps probe Akpabio, NDDC mgt over alleged funds mismanagement

6.

Summon minister, others

.Say forensic audit now conduit for looting

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, resolved to probe the alleged mismanagement of funds and other unwholesome practices in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) allegedly committed by the interim management committee of the commission.

Subsequently, the House has summoned the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio and members of the NDDC interim management committee.

In a resolution passed on Tuesday after debating a motion sponsored by the Deputy House Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason, the  House mandated its Committee on NDDC to investigate all issues relating to the misapplication and misappropriation of funds, especially the N40 billion spent in two months by the commission’s management and report back to the House.

The House committee, the resolution was directed to, is to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all procurement and financial transactions of the commission for this fiscal year to ascertain compliance with relevant laws and adherence to the Act setting up the commission in the lay-off, and engagement of key management staff.

Also, the House resolved to invite the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, the commission’s interim management committee to explain plans by the commission to ameliorate the effects of the present economic situation in the Niger Delta region.

According to the House, the investigation has become necessary following a plethora of petitions and reports in the mainstream and social media outlets about the spending of scarce financial resources by the management of the commission.

Beyond the allegations of financial recklessness, the House observed that there are also several protest letters and memorandum from contractors, stakeholders and public interest groups regarding alleged personnel lay-offs and replacement with unqualified, and inexperienced persons into strategic offices in the commission, thereby hampering efficiency and productivity;

For instance, Rep. Akpatason in his motion, revealed that there were claims and counter-claims that the commission spent over N40 billion within two months without corresponding effects on development in the region.

He said 70 per cent of the N49 billion were allegedly spent on emergency projects and the completion of the commission’s headquarters building, without due regard to fiscal governance as provided in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and other extant financial regulations of the Federal Government.

Similarly, the deputy House leader added that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, .the commission awarded contracts for the supply of Toyota Hilux vehicles and medical consumables valued at N4.8 billion in clear breach of Sections 19, 25, 41 and 42 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

 Contributing to debate on the motion, lawmakers expressed concern  that the trend of funds mismanagement was becoming worrisome and unprecedented and if not arrested will worsen an already pathetic situation in the Niger Delta region post- COVID-19.

They faulted the forensic audit for which the interim management committee was set up, describing it as almost becoming a conduit for forensic looting.

According to them, there were concerns about the negative consequences on the perception of the NDDC as a profligate institution and the obvious need to obviate community concerns that may arise due to frustration caused by a combination of these factors and to arrest imminent breakdown of law, and order having regard to the volatility of the area.

They cited the effects of COVID-19 on oil producing and gas processing companies and the communities, and averred that there was the  compelling need for the House to rise up for the people of the region in the wake of the negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.