President Buhari on Thursday vowed to take tough action against any person, group or organization indicted by the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) audit report.
The President disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the virtual commissioning of the NDDC Prototype Hostel at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said the lives of the people of the Niger Delta could be so much better, if the funding received by the commission since its inception, in billions of naira over the last twenty years, has been judiciously deployed in the service of the people.
He said, it was necessary to call for the forensic audit due to the serial abuse, lack of delivery, which had become an entrenched institutional decay. He, however, vowed that all looted funds shall be recovered for use in service of the people of the region, while also assuring that those found culpable shall face the law.
Recall that the NDDC forensic audit report was delivered to the President in September, in which the President decried that bulk of funds the Commission received for the development of the Niger Delta region which was diverted into private pockets, noting that execution of 13,777 projects were substantially compromised. However, since this forensic audit report was delivered to the President, no significant actions has been taken as expected.
The President also directed all statutory contributors to the NDDC to remit all outstanding funds to the Commission, and to ensure this is done transparently and according to the laid down procedure and process. Buhari further instructed the immediate revival and completion of all abandoned projects that directly impact the livelihood of the people.
He noted that the contract for the building of a 1,050-capacity hostel for male and female children were awarded in 2004, and like many others, it was abandoned.
The President said the completion of the project is another proof that his regime is committed to satisfying the needs of the people, throughout Nigeria, and fulfilling their expectations.
He however assured the people of the continuous efforts of the government to serve them by providing amenities, as well as enabling environment for scholarships and investment across all sectors for economic sustenance.