BEVERLY HILLS, May 20, (THEWILL) – The forensic auditors investigating the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have received 33 patrol vehicles from President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Minister in charge of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, presented the brand new Ford Ranger patrol vans to the security team of the audit at the permanent Headquarters of NDDC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Chairman of the Security Committee of the Audit Team, Alhaji Babayaro Ado, who represented Akpabio, commended Buhari for his magnanimity, interest and commitment to Niger Delta development.
Ado, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, said that the 33 vehicles were specifically designed to ensure the safety of personnel and smooth operation of the exercise.
He said: “He, Mr. President approved the Forensic Audit of NDDC to be conducted, to audit all NDDC projects starting from about 19 to 20 years, so as to look at all the projects, their locations, their starting to completion and also level of utilization, so as to guide and direct further action.”
He also thanked the minister for his commitment and determination to see the repositioning of the commission to effectively deliver on its core mandate.
Adoh went down memory lane to highlight the issues that led to the forensic audit and challenges confronting the commission but expressed optimism the problems would be addressed.
He said: “And that mandate is basically to develop the Niger Delta sub-region. And we have had a lot of challenges in NDDC since its inception to date. These challenges are not unsurmountable.”
Adoh said the NDDC had many projects scattered across the nine states of the Niger Delta, adding that the Federal Government was committed to reforming the NDDC to serve the Niger Delta people better.
Earlier, the Sole Administrator of the commission, Efiong Akwa, commended Buhari for keeping to his words.
He said: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for keeping to his promise.
“Behind us here are 33 Ford Ranger Hilux vehicles that have been sent in by Mr. President directly to the security operatives to use in conveying the men and women that would be engaged in the exercise. This is a promise that has been kept by Mr. President.”
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