Forensic audit has vindicated us, say Rivers, Delta directors of NDDC

Rivers and Delta states directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), George Ero and Emmanuel Audu Ohwaborua, have declared that the ongoing forensic audit of the commission has shown that it has much to showcase for the funds allocated to it over the years.

According to the directors, the final report of the audit will help to establish the true state of the projects executed by the agency so that appropriate actions could be taken.

They spoke at the weekend during the field verification of NDDC projects in the Niger Delta Region by forensic auditors with journalists with a view to capturing their activities at various project sites in Rivers and Delta states.

The joint team visited various projects in company of the field forensic auditors, including Provision of Transformers and Emergency Repairs of roads in Obio-Akpor Council in Rivers State, 550 meters Shore Protection Project at Ugborodo Community, Land Reclamation Project at Akpakpa-Ajudiabo Community, Canalisation of Oporoza and others in Warri South-West Council of Delta State.

Also the provision of Tables and Chairs by NDDC at Ezemu Girls Grammar School Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Council, Construction and Earth Work at Onicha-Uku to Idumu-Ogo Road, Anioma North in Delta State, among others.

Responding to questions on the state of the forensic audit during the inspection, they disclosed that the exercise in Rivers and Delta states, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, was to ascertain the level of NDDC’s performance from 2001-2019, saying it was on course and had attained 80 per cent completion.

Ero said Rivers State, with 23 councils has over 3,000 projects, making up 35per cent of the commission’s project portfolio, while Delta State has over 2,000 projects and one-third of the projects sited in the coastal areas.

“The auditors have been visiting various project sites for inspection in batches to verify the extent of work done and we have achieved some measurable results to show that a lot of ground have been covered, despite the limited number of personnel, logistics and security concerns.

“We commend President Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, for insisting on the forensic audit exercise, as this would help to establish the true state of projects so that appropriate actions would be taken,” he stated.