NDDC BOARD: Why we must not allow corruption to win – FAFIC

By KEMI KASUMU

The Foundation Against Fraud, Indiscipline And Corruption (FAFIC), in its reaction to newly nominated Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has mobilised support that corruption militating against actualisation of a global standard development for the oil rich region does not win.

Noting the fact that Laureta Onochie, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first woman ever to head the Commission since its inception, the Foundation said the Board needs the collective support of all considering the huge task before her and her team.

Dr. Uche Diala, the FAFIC’s President/National Coordinator, made this known in a statement dated 24th November, 2022 and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Thursday, adding that it has the objective view that the NDDC Board as re-constituted by President Buhari awaiting the confirmation of the Senate is an important first step to repositioning the Commission and implementing the recommendations of the Forensic Audit as the nominated Board is made up of qualified Nigerians.

The added advantage making the Board equal to the task, the statement said, is in the fact significance that it is headed by a woman of integrity and impeccable character who is neither tainted in any way by corrupt tendencies and affiliations nor has any record of corruption against her.

The statement read in details, “On 23rd November 2022, the list of eminent Nigerians appointed into the reconstituted Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation by the Senate as constitutionally required was read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate President.

“We quickly remind Nigerians of the not too savory reputation of the Commission and widespread allegations of corruption and abandoned projects in the past which prompted President Muhammadu Buhari to order a holistic forensic audit of the activities of the Commission from inception to August 2019. We are aware that that Audit did not go down well with certain individuals and vested interests.

“It is on record that between 2001 and 2019, the Federal Government had approved N3, 375, 735,776,794.93 and N2,420,948,894,191.00 respectively as budgetary allocation and income from Statutory and Non Statutory Sources, totaling approximately 6 Trillion Naira given to the Niger Delta Development Commission in that period.

“We are all aware that the Forensic Audit “opened a can of worms in the commission”, in the words of the erstwhile Interim Administrator of the Commission, Dr. Effiong Akwa. The Forensic Audit revealed among other things that there are over 13,777 projects embarked upon by the Commission, the execution of which is substantially compromised. This is an addition to the discovery that the Commission operated 362 bank accounts with lack of proper reconciliation of accounts.

“On the backdrop of these, Nigerians in general and citizens of the NDDC Member States in particular should be concerned and interested in what happens with the management and administration of the Commission going forward especially as the current administration is determined to change the status quo and address challenges militating against the delivery of the mandate of the NDDC; including corruption.

“It is our objective view that the NDDC Board as re-constituted by the President awaiting the confirmation of the Senate is an important first step to repositioning the Commission and implementing the recommendations of the Forensic Audit as the nominated Board is made up of qualified Nigerians and is significantly headed by a woman of integrity and impeccable character who is not tainted in any way by corrupt tendencies and affiliations nor has she any record of corruption against her.

“It bears stating that, Laureta Onochie; if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first woman ever to head the Commission since its inception. We acknowledge it as a plus for the often sidelined Nigerian women who nonetheless in their majority have always proven to be diligent, dependable, hardworking and accountable when assigned such tasks.

“We are aware of some clandestine and desperate moves by certain individuals and vested interests to undermine the President’s nominations as the Senate confirmation hearings loom. We however caution that such would be inimical to the efforts of the President to restore sanity, excellence, probity and accountability to the Commission and to return it to the path of delivering dividends to the people of the Niger Delta and member states.

“Let us conclude by stating that it is the sole prerogative of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make such appointments in the best in interest of the nation; after due considerations and consultations. This we believe the President has done in this case and it would amount to deliberately working against the interest of the people of the Niger Delta and NDDC member states, the good intentions of the President and the nation’s anti-corruption drive for anyone, no matter how highly placed to unduly fight or seek to obstruct the President’s nominations; especially that of the Chairman of the Board on the grounds of flimsy excuses, chauvinism, selfishness and personal ego.

“Corruption will surely fight back but we must not allow corruption to win,” the Foundation Against Fraud, Indiscipline And Corruption (FAFIC) said in the Dr. Uche Diala’s statement.