Nigeria’s President, Muhamadu Buhari, has ordered an immediate forensic audit of the accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. As he explained in a series of tweets issued via his official Twitter page, yesterday, this move has become imperative for the sake of accountability and probity.
The President further explained that the Nigerian people would like to know how all the billions of naira that were allocated to the NDDC between 2001 and 2019 have been utilized.
The projects that are said to have been done must be verifiable. One cannot just say billions have been spent and when the sites are visited, there is nothing to be seen as proof of work done. The forensic audit will cover the NDDC’s operations from 2001 to 2019.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 17, 2019
The NDDC was established in 2000 by the Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. Its major responsibility is to facilitate developmental goals in the Niger Delta region which, for years, was left underdeveloped even though the majority of the country’s national wealth (I.e., oil money) comes from there.
Heads could roll: Without a doubt, a lot of money has been allocated to the region throughout the near two decades it has been in existence. Interestingly, many Nigerians have always felt that the rate of development is not commensurate with the amount of money allocated. Unfortunately, no President has ever felt the need to probe the NDDC until now. It is highly possible that instances of corruption and financial mismanagement will be uncovered at the end of this probe. And President Buhari’s government may not hesitate to prosecute those found to have played a part in committing fraud.
Nigerians agree: In the meantime, Nigerians are here for this development. Many of them commended President Buhari for this gesture, even as Tunji Tunde Ayeni opined that a lot of people could end up being jailed if the probe is properly conducted.
If thoroughly carried out,all those that have headed that agency should be on their way to jail. How I wish President @MBuhari didn't say anything to the public because hearing this news all of them will become sick overnight and will be carrying neck bandage like Mesut ozil
— TUNJI TUNDE AYENI (@IamTunjiAyeni) October 17, 2019
Jide Otitoju also noted that the government should, indeed, periodically subject all government agencies/parastatals to this kind of forensic audit. This way, accountability in public administration/service can be guaranteed.
This is the way to go. All agencies and parastatals of government should be subjected to periodic forensic auditing. Former and present NDDC bosses must be sweating now.
— Jide Otitoju (@jide_otitoju) October 17, 2019
Meanwhile, even though Gabriel M God believes this is a necessary step to take, he is highly doubtful that it will accomplish anything. This is because there is a high level of corruption in the NDDC which may eventually end up being covered by the powers that be. The government should, perhaps, prove him wrong by ensuring that those who have perpetuated corruption in the Commission get exposed and prosecuted.
Necessary step, will it achieve the needed results. There is extreme corruption in NDDC. But, who is even clean to do a clean job? It's all on a loop. It's a quagmire. It's complicated.
— Gabriel M. God (@Gabrielapogee) October 17, 2019
Can't be so sure. Links in the Federal Agencies will tell you no one is upright. There are kick backs that still happen till now.
Covert.
Agents.
But nothing is hidden under the sun.Someone should at least pretend to be Ok, oversee a real auditing, and show to the world.
— Gabriel M. God (@Gabrielapogee) October 17, 2019
