The Federal Government, on Friday, disclosed that it had already begun the implementation of some aspects of the forensic audit conducted on the financial and operational activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, who disclosed this while responding to questions at a press conference he addressed at the end of a two-day retreat organised by his ministry, said the aspects of the report, bordering on criminality, had already been referred to appropriate agencies for appropriate actions.
The minister also disclosed that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affair does not have enough funds to immediately liquidate all the debt owed contractors to the NDDC, pointing out that when it finds it possible to settle the liabilities, it would start with those who have delivered their task.
Answering a question on the implementation of the forensic audit report, which he said was received on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Umana said the process of reviewing, evaluating and offering of recommendations on the implementation are in the final stage and would soon be made public.
“The report was received on behalf of the President by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the President had then directed that the report should be reviewed, evaluated, and appropriate recommendations are made for further actions.
“The reports, I must say, already was sent to relevant agencies of government for the implementation of some of the aspects, especially aspects that border on criminality. So those aspects already are being handled by those agencies of governments.
“But you know that there are some aspects of those reports, which also cover institutional issues and what we’ll need to do to reset the NDDC, moving forward. Those other aspects too have been reviewed and the final reports, which would enable the government to set up the templates for full implementation of the reports, are being put together for consideration by Mr. Presidents.
“When I took over and I also wanted to have an insight into what’s the status, I call the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and had a meeting and he briefed me and I got to know that we are at the final stage.
“So, you should be expecting the next phase, which would come up with the various items that the government would have isolated for implementation, which will be made public”, he said.
