The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission has finally appeared before the ad hoc committee probing the commission’s abandoned projects from 2000 to date.
Acting Managing Director of the Commission, Akwagaga Enyia, urged the legislators to assist in the recovery of statutory funds owed it by federal government as well as the oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta region.
After many invitations and threats of bench warrants against the leadership of the NDDC, the commission has appeared before the legislators.
Its Acting Managing Director addressed the panel stating the commission’s side of the story
In its memorandum, the office of the Auditor General of the federation said NDDC paid N70.4 billion mobilisation fee to contractors who never went to site.
The report also said 61 4 billion naira be recovered from contractors who collected part payment but abandoned their projects.
It submits that the Commission lacks effective control in contract awards and payment.
These are contained in its report of periodic checks read by the Committee chairman, just as it accuses the Commission of failing to respond to audit issues raised.
The NDDC puts the total number of abandoned projects at more than 1796.
In the report, 626 contractors who received mobilisation fee from the NDDC never went to site.
Communities in the region are also represented as they expressed frustrations at the turn of events in the commission
The legislators queried the modalities behind the commission’s payment to some contractors who repeatedly shunned sites.
