President Muhammadu Buhari has directed immediate release of outstanding funds to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He also ordered the revival and completion of all viable projects, which have been abandoned by the NDDC, stressing that anyone found culpable in the mismanagement of funds and abandonment of projects in the region would be prosecuted.
He gave the orders during the virtual commissioning of a 1,050-bed space hostel built and donated by the NDDC to the University of Uyo after it was abandoned for 17 years.
The President commended the NDDC for the hostel complex and promised that all recovered funds from the NDDC would’ve be used for the service of the people.
“Therefore, we shall ensure that every kobo recovered will be used for the service of the people of this region and those found culpable would face the law.
“When I directed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to institute a forensic audit of the commission after many representations by major stakeholders in the Niger Delta, I also directed that all viable projects, which were being abandoned, which will impart positively on the lives and livelihood of the people be immediately revived and completed,” he said.
Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who was represented by the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Dr. John Etim, commended the President for the completion and commissioning of the hotel.
Also speaking, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, explained that the forensic audit revealed that 17,000 projects had been abandoned in the region.
He stated that 77 roads and many health centres have so far been completed, noting that the hostel project is a major transformation effort in the university.
Earlier, the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa said that, the new hostel project was the third NDDC project the President would be inaugurating this year, the three projects were abandoned before the forensic audit of the commission.
