NDDC Spent 1.3trn Between 2015 And 2019 – Senate

The Nigerian Senate has today Thursday revealed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) spent N1.3 trillion in the space of four years.
The ad hoc committee investigating financial recklessness in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said this while presenting its investigative report before the Senate, declaring some of the spending unlawful.

This is coming days after the acting Commission’s Managing Director, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei gave Nigerians a piece of his acting and slumped at a public hearing.
Reading the report, Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi noted that NDDC had spent N1.3 trillion between 2015 and May 31, 2019, and many of the expenses were extra-budgetary.
Observations
Adetumbi noted that the Committee observed process errors and infractions, as well as substantial payments, were made to staff in the form of unjustifiable allowances. The investigation revealed further that the NDDC paid 4.9 billion Naira to staff for numerous allowances including COVID-19 relief, tour duty allowances, overseas travel, and international scholarships. The payment for overseas travel and scholarship was, however, made during the lockdown and cessation of flights abroad.
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In addition, the committee observed that the ministry of Niger delta is culpable if negligent supervision of the NDDC. It further noted that the performance of the interim management committee IMC is a major issue as the record of the IMC has not shown any record of prudence and it should be dissolved. The committee further raised an alarm over the forensic audit called for by President Buhari, stating that it is at a rudimentary level with the recruitment of the auditors still underway even after eight months.Photos Credit: Getty