NDDC final forensic audit report ready in July, says Akpabio

After several years of agitation, the final forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be ready and presented to the Presidency at the end of July, Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio has said.

The minister, who disclosed this in an interview with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, indicated that the final report would be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for implementation.

On the reconstitution of the NNDC board, Akpabio said the names of the nominees for the board would soon be forwarded to the National Assembly.

He said: “We have fast-tracked the process of constituting the board, but we insist that the most important thing is not just the development of the Niger Delta region but how to reposition NDDC to ensure optimal performance as against the practice in the past.

“So, the forensic audit of NDDC is on course and it is progressing very well and I am happy with the progress made so far.

” I am very certain that by end of July; which is just a month and a few weeks away, that the final result will be given to the president for implementation.

“And in terms of the composition of the board of the NDDC, of course, we have fast-tracked the process and the National Assembly will soon get the list.

“But that is not as important as the forensic audit which we are finally given a deadline which is July end.”

Akpabio expressed the hope that the new board would use the recommendations of the forensic audit to reposition the commission.

Persecondnews recalls that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in February 2020, approved the appointment of a lead consultant for the forensic audit of NDDC.