TheNewsGuru

Tag: Forensic Audit

  • Why initiated forensic audit of State govt’s account – Otti

    Why initiated forensic audit of State govt’s account – Otti

    Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said that he initiated forensic audit of the State Government’s account to recover stolen government funds and not to witch-hunt anyone.

    Otti said this on Sunday during an interactive session with constituents of Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

    The governor said that upon assumption of office as governor, he established an audit with the primary objective of recovering stolen government funds and not to send anyone to jail.

    He said that the report of the audit revealed that “a lot of money was looted and stolen brazenly” for non-existing projects which include the Abia Airport Project.

    “I am looking for the airport for which funds were moved from the coffers of the government for.

    “The people concerned with the act of moving the airport project funds in question went to the media and  began to say all manner of things.

    “If you are following the happenings in the media space, you will see these things there.

    “The problem with lying is that when you tell one lie, you will need another one to cover the first lie and need three more lies to cover the second one.

    “We are looking for our money and we must find our money. If we don’t find the airport, then they will refund our money,” he added.

    According to him, the government will not relent in improving the welfare of the citizenry through various progressive initiatives that facilitate socioeconomic growth.

    He said that the government was determined to recover the funds and  utilise it for the development of the state.

    Otti commended the House of Assembly member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency , Mr Roland Chinwendu, for playing “politics of no bitterness”.

    “Immediately, after the elections he  came to me to make it clear that as the member representing my Constituency, he would work with me  to move Abia forward.

    “It is worthy of note that he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and I commend him for that,” he said.

    Earlier, Chinwendu said that the emergence of Otti as the governor was an indication that the citizens desire good governance.

    “The elections are long over and I was elected to deliver effective representation and not elected to play politics of opposition or bitterness.

    “We have a governor whose dictum is practical government and good governance and I have no reason not to identify with him,” he said.

    He assured the governor of the unalloyed support of his constituents and urged him to extend his infrastructural development to every part of the constituency.

    Also, a Chieftain of Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, commended the lawmaker for reaching beyond party affiliations to support the Labour Party-led government in Abia.

    He said that the present administration was poised to reposition the state through governance.

    In an interview with newsmen, Mr Henry Ori, Leader of the Ebubedike Movement for PDP in Nvosi Ward 5, said that the programmes and policies of the present administration were development-oriented.

    “It is for this reason that we are here to show solidarity and support as well as encourage the governor to sustain the good works,” Ori said.

  • CBN forensic audit, civil service payroll overhaul imminent – Tinubu

    CBN forensic audit, civil service payroll overhaul imminent – Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu says a comprehensive forensic audit of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is underway, while a thorough overhaul of the civil service payroll is imminent.

    The president disclosed this during an audience with the President of the World Bank, Mr. Ajay Banga, on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    ”A comprehensive forensic audit is on-going at the Central Bank. We are going to do very serious structural review of the civil service payroll. I can’t believe in the numbers I’m seeing and I’ve had that experience before at the state level.

    ”The reforms are in tandem with Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business programme. We’ll block all financial loopholes. The reforms will be targeted at the way we work, change of attitude and equally on educating our people. It’s costly but we will do it,” he said.

    Highlighting Nigeria’s resilience and intellectual prowess, the president implored the Bretton Woods institution to view the country as a significant player within the global community, not solely as a struggling economy.

    ‘‘We stand as a vibrant and educated society, seeking to avert chaos through strategic interventions. Your proactive engagement aligns with our quest for partnership, and together, we shall pursue mutual benefits that enrich us all,’’ he said.

    On poverty alleviation, the president called for more increased support from the World Bank, expressing optimism for a productive collaboration between Nigeria and the World Bank that would lead to mutual benefits and sustainable progress.

    He also discussed the ongoing efforts to address issues such as subsidy removal, foreign exchange mismanagement, exchange rates, inflation, liquidity and debt management.

    Tinubu shared insights into his administration’s substantial reforms, including those aimed at consolidating improvements in Nigeria’s oil industry, enhancing the Ease of Doing Business, and prioritising security to boost the country’s revenue generation.

    He pointed out the importance of electricity generation for economic development, highlighting the turning of sod earlier today on the first phase (350MW) of the 1,350MW power generation project in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

    He explained that this project signifies the administration’s commitment to a comprehensive approach, which encompasses power generation, distribution, energy transition and tariff adjustments.

    While calling for a positive partnership with the World Bank, Tinubu emphasised key areas of focus, including job creation, digitisation and National Identity Management.

    He also requested the World Bank’s support in addressing the challenges posed by the removal of cross-sectoral subsidies, particularly in lessening the impact on the less-privileged Nigerians.

    In his remarks, Banga commended the president for his efforts in addressing the economic challenges of the country.

    ”Yes, we give money and our dollars are very important but where we are really helpful is our expertise and knowledge and our experience from many markets.

    “In that way, we will always be your friend and partner, not just with the money, but with our minds and our hearts and you should be rest assured about that,” he said.

  • 40% of crude loses due to measurement inaccuracies – NUPRC

    40% of crude loses due to measurement inaccuracies – NUPRC

    Approximately 40% of the volumes credited to crude losses in the Nigerian petroleum industry are actually attributable to measurement inaccuracies and not theft as often reported.

    The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr Gbenga Komolafe stated this in Lagos at the Petroleum Club Quarterly Dinner, said the revelation followed a forensic audit conducted by the Commission covering the period January 2020 to November 2022 on crude theft numbers. The audit was to ascertain with accuracy the stolen volume of crude oil within the reference period. 

    Delivering a speech on “Nigerian upstream petroleum sector: value optimization, energy transition and regulatory perspectives”, Engr. Komolafe said the Commission is committed to dealing with the issue of metering errors by ensuring that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) licensed directly as agents of the Commission will be responsible for deployment and maintenance of metering facilities across the Nigeria’s oil and gas facilities, for transparency in hydrocarbon accounting. 

    The reform measure adopted by the Commission offers a paradigm shift from the trajectory in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon measurement since oil was discovered in Nigeria in Oloibiri in 1956; and is aimed at ensuring that no one becomes a judge in his own case.

    Admittedly, one major area of value erosion in the industry is the menace of crude oil theft. Our records indicate that the menace of oil theft has negatively impacted the oil and gas sector for about two decades with attendant huge financial losses to our nation. The Commission, in collaboration with the various arms of the Security forces, the NNPC Limited and the host communities, have been able to suppress the ugly trend of hydrocarbon value decimation. Now, our nation has continued to record good dividends of these collaborative efforts as production figures are progressively increasing. The January 2023 volume is approximately 1.5 million barrels per day of oil and condensates. It is expected that this number will continue to increase as further measures are introduced and sustained to remove all illegal connections that aid crude oil theft.

    Currently, Nigeria is flaring about 10% of gas produced, a feature the Commission is also determined to eliminate through the on-going Gas Flare Commercialization Programme (GFCP). Nigeria produces about 8BSCF/D of gas, out of which approximately 20% is delivered to the domestic market, approximately 40% is exported to international markets, 30% is utilised for producer’s internal consumption and the excess gas is flared.

    In alignment with our objectives, as outline in Section 6 of the Petroleum Industry Act, the Commission is diligently pursuing the basic regulatory goals which include: increasing Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves and production, developing a transparent approach to hydrocarbon accounting, and attaining operational efficiency and effectiveness in industry operations. 

    In addition, the Commission is committed to facilitating peace and harmony in the host communities to guarantee conducive operating environment for investors, positively impacting on operating cost and attracting more investment opportunities. Komolafe outlined the measures undertaken by the Commission. Excerpts:

    Strategic Actions for Hydrocarbon Value Optimization

    In keeping with industry laws and regulations, the Commission has issued a licensing round guideline and published a licensing round plan for a total of seven open blocks (300-DO, 301-DO, 302-DO, 303-DO, 304-DO, 305-DO & 306-DO). We are currently evaluating the Expression of Interest (EOI) received from prospective investors. The exercise is indeed expected to be a huge success for Nigeria and a big step towards growing the nation’s oil and gas reserves. This will be done through aggressive exploration and development efforts. 

    Also, as part of our strategy for value optimization and increased production from our national oil and gas reserves, the Commission has focused on regulatory initiative aimed at reviving declining wells through enhanced oil recovery approach. We are working with operators to identify candidate wells and appropriate interventions that would lead to increased production.

    In addition, the Commission is focusing on shut-in wells which can be revived. In pursuance of this, The Commission inaugurated a committee on June 23, 2022, to conduct industry-wide study on reactivation of Shut-in strings. The committee has submitted its report, and includes recommendations categorised into Quick Wins, Medium and Long-Term initiatives that will enhance national oil and gas production volumes.

    Findings from the report revealed that over 900,000 barrels of oil per day can be earned from the quick win interventions while the medium and long-term initiatives could potentially add 1.2 million barrels of oil per day if properly and fully implemented. The total number of strings that need to be revived is also known and we have commenced engagement with the relevant operators to operationalize the initiative.

    We have also completed the 2020 Marginal Field Bid Round and issued fifty (50) Petroleum Prospecting Licenses (PPLs) to deserving awardees. It is expected that with the existing discoveries in the awarded fields, early Field Development Plan (FDP) would be pursued by the awardees leading to incremental oil and gas production. On its part, the Commission is facilitating timely approvals for expedited re-entry and early production. The estimated incremental production from the awarded fields is approximately 58,000 bpd and 87mmscf/d.

    In the short/medium term, we expect an estimated incremental volume of 461,000bpd and 565mmscf/d from new wells and well re-entry. In the long term we expect an estimated incremental volume of 162,000bpd and 868mmscf/d from FDPs which have been approved and are at various stages of execution.

    Implementation of Host Community Provisions under Section 235 of PIA

    Section 235 of the PIA 2021 saddles the Commission with the responsibility of ensuring conducive and peaceful relationship among stakeholders within the Host Community through the implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust.

    The Commission, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, has developed templates and gazetted regulations, which includes that of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT). The essence of the HCDT is to integrate oil bearing communities into the value chain and effectively cater for the development needs of impacted communities, thus positively curbing restiveness in such communities and offering enabling environment for operators to thrive. This is expected to guarantee seamless operation, boost investor confidence, and provide enabling environment for sustainable development of the country’s hydrocarbon resources. We are happy to disclose that over 60 Host Community Development Trust have been approved by the Commission. This is indeed a milestone in the implementation of the PIA, 2021.

    FDP Budget, Cost Monitoring and Benchmarking

    Our strategic thrust is to ensure that all our interventions as regulator translate into significant reduction in the cost of doing business in the upstream petroleum industry. In addition to these measures, Section 8 of the petroleum act mandates the Commission to undertake the commercial regulation of the operations of the industry as well as develop cost studies and benchmarks for the evaluation of upstream petroleum operations.

    The focus on cost reduction as it relates to unit operating cost (UOC) stems from a comparative analysis of other jurisdictions, with a view to determining where we want to be. Our current UOC ranges from $15 (deep offshore) to $25 (onshore/shallow waters). It is obvious that Nigeria needs to improve its cost efficiency.

    Development of priority regulations as tool for sanity and predictability – Section 216

    The Commission is committed to creating enabling and predictable regulatory environment via the development of regulations that will give meaning and intent to the PIA 2021. In view of that, some priority regulations for the upstream petroleum sector have been developed by the Commission within its short existence. The Act also provides for a consultative forum to be held for the concurrence and input from all stakeholders in the upstream petroleum operations before the finalization of regulations. Five (5) of the regulations have been completed and gazetted while thirteen (13) other draft regulations have been reviewed with stakeholders and awaiting gazetting.

    INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE GAS PRODUCTION

    In line with the Federal Government’s declaration of the period 2021 – 2030 as the Decade of Gas, the Commission is taking steps to expand and develop the Nation’s huge gas resources through enhanced gas exploration, development and utilization schemes. This will ultimately lead to gas reserves’ growth, increased gas production, maturation of domestic and export gas market, as well as gas flare elimination.

    Furthermore, in the face of the global energy transition and the need for cleaner sources of energy, gas is being positioned as our immediate transition fuel to lower the Nation’s carbon emission footprint in line with our climate change commitment.

    Climate action plan in FDPs and operations

    Our commitment to the various climate agreements places a demand on us all to keep global temperature rise within 1.5 °C – 2.0 °C of pre-industrial levels. The implication of this for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry are far-reaching. The need to decarbonise our production facilities not only requires the right policy direction but also demands adequate measurement of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to ensure we achieve our net-zero target by 2060.

    The Commission supported the review and assessment of the national GHG emissions as part of series of workshops that led to revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) policy submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ahead of the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) summit in Glasgow, Scotland 2021. Fugitive methane emission reduction target (60%) from Oil & Gas was added to Nigeria’s NDC for the first time based on robust data provided by the NUPRC.

    The development of guidelines on the management of fugitive methane and GHG emissions in the upstream sector that will drive emission reduction and mitigations targets of the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) has been approved and is being operationalized. The Commission is currently engaging the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on opportunities surrounding Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and development of national framework on CCUS.

    We look forward to a more collaborative working relationship with the operators in the industry for value optimization. Such collaborative aspirations would target unlocking the huge potentials we have as a nation in the Deep Play prospects, Frontier Basins and the Deep Offshore environments.

    We would also be leveraging on technology to achieve our mandates by ensuring all our processes become fully automated and more transparent in line with the prescriptions of the PIA. Furthermore, relevant guidelines that will provide clarity on every aspect of oil and gas operations will be issued by the Commission in keeping with our core values.

    Signed:

    Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, FNSE

    Commission Chief Executive

    February 17, 2023

  • N11.9bn stolen from Kwara treasury between 2011-2019 – Audit reveals

    N11.9bn stolen from Kwara treasury between 2011-2019 – Audit reveals

    A forensic audit report has revealed that N11.9 billion of public funds were carted away from the treasury of Kwara State between 2011 and 2019 without any lawful tie to any project or programme.

    The forensic audit report revealed, amid other mind-boggling revelations, alleged malfeasance within the period in which Abdulfatah Ahmed was the Governor of the State.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Ilorin on Thursday by Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor of the State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    The audit also showed that N2 billion cash withdrawals not tied to any project or official expenditure were made within eight days in February 2019, barely one month to the general election.

    Presenting the report to AbdulRazaq on Thursday, Prof. Anthony Iniomoh, said the report is in two volumes covering Internally Generated Revenue; Capital Receipts; Internal and External Loans; Recurrent/Overhead Expenditure; Personnel Cost (Salaries and Wages); Capital Expenditure; Assets Disposed; Kwara State Internal Revenue Service; Infrastructural Fund Kwara (IFK); and Harmony Holdings Limited, among others.

    “A few highlights of our findings may be necessary for the record. Our forensic audit revealed a colossal pilfering of N11,981,268,709, which we recommended should be recovered to the public coffers.

    “Similarly, we recommended to the state government to prosecute certain officers and companies in addition to claiming exemplary damages on transactions totalling N6,023,358,444, amongst other key findings.

    “A firm that was incorporated at the Corporate Affairs Commission on 14th June, 2016, was paid by the state government for a contract it purportedly executed for the state in April of the same year. A preconceived attempt to defraud the state,” Inumoh said at the presentation of the report.

    Iniomoh said the report observed cases of firms that were paid huge public funds without any evidence of work done on record.

    The report also revealed an instance of a public officer getting paid at two different places for years.

    Iniomoh disclosed that there was a cash withdrawal within eight days of N2.06 billion in February 2019 without no documentation made available to validate the purpose for which the money was withdrawn.

    He said there were several other cash withdrawals within the state over the period running into billions of naira which the audit team could not validate.

    According to him, the audit revealed that loans were obtained by the Kwara government within the period under review.

    “The elements of these loans could not be validated. Above all, the bank accounts to which these loans were disbursed to and what the loans were used for could not be established or validated,” said Iniomoh.

    The report suggested to the government to prosecute some individuals and firms indicted in the two volume report, while other issues are to be referred to administrative panel of inquiry for some individuals to explain their roles in the many infractions.

    Receiving the report, AbdulRazaq said the revelations were truly disturbing but hardly surprising, given the patterns of events in those years.

    “We thank you for the robust work. It confirms what we have been saying all along. We also know that there were certain deliberate efforts to obstruct your work. That was why it has taken some time because you have made certain complaints about that and we tried to push those that were supposed to open the doors to make the doors easy for you.

    “Your report, like others, will help us to steadily put the state in the right direction to deepen transparency and accountability. We will go through the report fully and look into your recommendations.

    “It is mind-boggling especially withdrawing cash of over N2 billion a month to the election and all sorts of infractions that took place. Certainly, we shall progress from here and do the needful,” said AbdulRazaq.

    The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamma Saba Jubril; Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Senior Ibrahim Suleiman; Commissioner for Finance, Florence Olasumbo Oyeyemi; Accountant General of the State, AbdulGaniyu Sani; and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Abdulrazaq Folorunsho.

    Other members of the audit firm are Tijani Dako and Bamidele Sobiye.

  • N25bn fraud: Arrested NDDC Director, Eno Otu spends second day in EFCC cell

    N25bn fraud: Arrested NDDC Director, Eno Otu spends second day in EFCC cell

    The Director of Finance and Accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Eno Otu, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, is facing day 2 of his grilling over his involvement in a N25 billion fraud in the NDDC.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Otu was specifically arrested by the EFCC in relation to a case of alleged diversion of over N25 billion in tax remittances.

    It was gathered that Otu’s arrest was part of a larger investigation of the forensic audit of the NDDC, which President Muhammadu Buhari had instituted for the cleaning of the Commission.

    Last month, President Buhari said his administration had started the implementation of the NDDC forensic audit report which was submitted to him in September 2021.

     

    Details to follow…

  • Forensic Audit: All those involved in squandering NDDC funds must cough out every kobo – Buhari vows

    Forensic Audit: All those involved in squandering NDDC funds must cough out every kobo – Buhari vows

    …says we’ll prosecute them all

    Disturbed by the manner the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC was ran aground, President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that every kobo stolen would be recovered.

    Buhari revealed this in Abuja while speaking at the virtual commissioning of the NDDC Prototype Hostel at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    He said “every kobo that was recoverable”, while those found culpable would be made to face the long arm of the law.

    The president lamented that the development fund of the entire region was squandered by a few Nigerians turning the majority into spaces.

    “The Niger Delta Development Commission needs to demonstrate that it can achieve the objectives it was conceived for and make its impact felt all over the Niger Delta Region. The lives of the people of the Niger Delta could be so much better, if the funding received by this commission since its inception, in billions of naira over the last 20 years, have been judiciously deployed in service of the people.

    “The serial abuse, lack of delivery and what had become an entrenched institutional decay, was the reason why I called for the forensic audit. Therefore, going forward we shall ensure every recoverable kobo, is recovered for use in service of the people of this region and those found culpable shall face the Law.

    “Consequently, I want to use the opportunity of this commissioning to direct all statutory contributors to the NDDC to remit all outstanding funds to the Commission, and to ensure this is done transparently and according to laid down procedure and process,” he said.

    Buhari, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, directed that all abandoned projects that directly impact the livelihood of the people should be revived and completed.

    The President said the contract for the building of 1,050 capacity hostel for male and female students was awarded in 2004, and like many others, it was abandoned.

    Buhari said across many public universities and institutions of higher learning children face accommodation challenges, while private investors were taking advantage of the gap to provide accommodation, unfortunately tasking the resources of parents and guardians.

    “Many of them are located far away from school premises and come with their own peculiar challenges. It is good that such an infrastructure gap is being addressed, by providing accommodation for students that would be affordable, well built, and in a secure environment,’’ he said.

    The President explained that the Vice- President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on his behalf, commissioned the Special Protections Unit Base 6 Barracks in Omagwa, Rivers State, which was built and donated by NDDC to the Nigeria Police Force.

    Sen. Godswill Akpabio said the completion of the NDDC headquarters complex and other projects clearly showed the President’s commitment to improving the livelihood of people in the Niger Delta.

  • NDDC audit: Nigerians demand quick action against corrupt officials, contractors

    NDDC audit: Nigerians demand quick action against corrupt officials, contractors

    …ask FG to reconstitute NDDC board immediately

    …demand arrest of NASS members, civil servants and public servants involved in milking the commission dry

    Barely a week after receiving the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigerians have continued to demand prompt action by President Muhammadu Buhari against officials, contractors, and individuals indicted by the report which exposed brazen criminality and fraud in the execution of 13,777 projects.

    It will be recalled that President Buhari had in October 2019 ordered forensic auditing of the Commission due to reports of endemic corruption since its establishment, but received the audit report last Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE on RADIO, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, on Wednesday in Abuja, the Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy For Social & Economic Rights, Frank Tietie revealed that his expectation and that of the people from the Niger Delta region is to see President Buhari-led Federal Government speedily employ all legal means in arresting all and sundry implicated by the report; seize their ill-gotten properties, monies and return them to the people.

    Disclosing his expectations now that the NDDC audit report is on the president’s table, Tietie had these to say: “We don’t want time to be wasted, I am looking forward to properties that will be temporarily and finally forfeited to the Federal Government, sold and the money taken back to the NDDC.

    “We are looking at a situation where current members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, Federal Public Servants, and Civil Servants will be arrested immediately and imprisoned.

    “We want a speedy trial, we want to see people sent to prison, seize their properties, sell their properties, give the money back to the NDDC, “He stressed.

    Tietie expressed optimism that the government will act on the audit report that has set up the audit committee themselves, noting that even if President Buhari refuses to take action on the report the laws of Nigeria will.

    He commended PRIMORG for their boldness in bringing such discourse of national importance to public knowledge while disclosing that his rights group will continue to urge citizens to be alert on government spending and holding their leaders accountable.

    “You must shine your eyes as someone from Niger Delta with regards to budget, whether it is in the state, federal or in the NDDC; You must know the roads and bridges to be built and when they are not built you call me or call PRIMORG to talk about it,” Tietie advised.

    On his part, Darlington Nwauju who lives in Rivers State called on President Buhari to constitute the NDDC board urgently, as it will help reduce the corruption in the commission.

    “Mr. President should constitute the board for the NDDC, because there are a plethora of audit reports that have been done before now inside the NDDC, so, the constituted board should work with these reports to better the lives of the people of the region.

    Towing the same line, another of the Niger Delta, Umuakpo Ovie who spoke from Delta State said that a well-constituted board of the commission will reduce the malfeasance that has impoverished the people of the region. Adding that interim management boards of the NDDC oversaw the abandonment of many emergency road constructions in recent times.

    Ovie disclosed that going forward, people from the region will hold leaders accountable, “just as we are agitating for President Buhari to act on the forensic audit report, that is how we must come together to hold political leaders, traditional leaders, and opinion leaders accountable and ask them questions.

    “The criminality is too much, how can they spend N6 trillion, and today there is no development in the region,” he lamented.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program used by PRIMORG to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
    The program is supported by the MacArthur Foundation.

  • BREAKING: Buhari sends sackload of NDDC forensic audit report to Ministry of Justice

    BREAKING: Buhari sends sackload of NDDC forensic audit report to Ministry of Justice

    President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that the sackload of the final report of the forensic audit carried out on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) be sent to the Ministry of Justice.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari gave the order on Thursday after receiving sackload of the final forensic audit report from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    The NDDC forensic audit report, the documents of which were conveyed in sacks, were received by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on behalf of the President.

    Read remarks by Malami at the presentation of the report below:

    I welcome you all to the presentation of the Report on the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Commission (NDDC), which report I am to receive on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

    2. You will recall the President had ordered for a holistic forensic audit of the activities of the Commission from inception to August 2019 in response to the yearnings of the people the Niger Delta Region to reposition it for effective service delivery. It is imperative to state that, the call for the audit by the people of the Niger Delta Region arose from the huge gaps between resources invested in the region vis a vis the huge gap in infrastructural, human and economic development.

    3. It is on record that between 2001 and 2019, the Federal Government has approved N3, 375, 735,776,794.93 Three Trillion, Three Hundred and Seventy Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Four Naira, Ninety Three Kobo as budgetary allocation and N2,420,948,894,191.00 Two Trillion, Four Hundred and Twenty Billion, Nine Hundred and Forty Million, and, Eight Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety One Naira as Income from Statutory and Non Statutory Sources, which brings the total figure to the sum of approximately Six Trillion Naira given to the Niger Delta Development Commission.

    4. Consequently, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the engagement of a Lead Forensic Auditor, as well as 16 reputable Audit Firms to conduct the audit exercise.

    5. The President is delighted that the auditors have now completed this exercise and the Report is today being presented.

    6. Furthermore, the President is not oblivious of the interest generated by Stakeholders towards the forensic audit exercise and the agitation for the constitution of the Board of the NDDC. However, this Administration is determined to address challenges militating against the delivery of the mandate of the NDDC to the people of the Niger Delta Region.

    7. It is in the broader context of the foregoing developments that the President recently signed into Law the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which has been a contentious issue over the years for successive Governments, to bring about the prudence and accountability in the Petroleum Sector and to give a sense of participation and ownership to the Host communities.

    8. The Report on the forensic audit of the NNDC and your recommendations will therefore be critically analysed for necessary action and implementation. We owe it a duty to the people of the Niger Delta Region to improve their standard of living through the provision of adequate infrastructural and socio-economic development.

    9. The welfare and socio- economic inclusion of the Niger Delta Region is paramount to the development and security of the Region and by extension the Country. Funds spent on development activities should as a consequence promote political and socio-economic stability in the Region. Citizens affected by these development projects should also exhibit the ability to contribute to the continuous progress of their immediate and wider communities by engaging in constructive activities that will sustain and supports these development projects.

    10. It is evident that considerable resources have been channeled by the Federal Government to the development of the Niger Delta from 2001 to 2019. It is therefore important for the Federal Government and the public to be properly informed of what has been spent and how that has been spent. The essence of the forensic audit is to ensure probity and accountability in the use of public funds. It is against this background that the Federal Government will without hesitation strategically implement all aspects of the audit exercise that will promote probity and greater prosperity for the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria as whole.

    11. The Federal Government is particularly concerned with the colossal loss occasioned by uncompleted and unverified development projects in the Niger Delta Region, in spite of the huge resources made available to uplift the living standard of the citizens. We have on record over 13,777 projects, the execution of which is substantially compromised. The Federal Government is also concerned with the multitudes of Niger Delta Development Commission’s bank accounts amounting to 362 and lack of proper reconciliation of accounts.

    12. The Federal Government will in consequence apply the law to remedy the deficiencies outlined in the audit report as appropriate. This will include but not limited to initiation of criminal investigations, prosecution, recovery of funds not properly utilized for the public purposes for which they were meant for review of the laws to reposition and restructure the NDDC for the efficiency of better service delivery amongst others. In all these instances of actions, legal due processes will strictly be complied with.

    13. The President has directed that the forensic audit report be forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for a legal review and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government will be engaged in doing justice to the findings accordingly.

    14. I appreciate the Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio, his colleague Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, the Interim Administrator, Management and Staff of the NNDC for their support towards the completion of the audit exercise.

    15. My appreciation also goes to the Lead Forensic Auditors and the 16 Field Audit Firms for completing this exercise, as well as the Security Committee for securing the lives and properties of the Audit Firms throughout the duration of the forensic audit exercise.

    16. Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

  • BREAKING: Akpabio submits NDDC forensic audit report to Buhari in sacks

    BREAKING: Akpabio submits NDDC forensic audit report to Buhari in sacks

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has submitted the final report of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to President Muhamamadu Buhari.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Akpabio submitted the NDDC forensic audit report to Buhari in sacks.

    The documents conveyed in sacks were received by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who represented the President.

    In his remarks shortly before handing over the report, Akpabio, disclosed that the forensic audit covered a total of 13,777 contracts awarded from 2001 to 2019 at a final contract value of N3,274,206,032,213.24.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Corruption: Pressure mounts on Buhari to act on NDDC forensic audit report

    Corruption: Pressure mounts on Buhari to act on NDDC forensic audit report

    Pressure is currently mounting on President Muhammadu Buhari to take action on the forensic audit carried out on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    This is even as the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) has called on the President to act on the matter.

    PRIMORG urged President Buhari to expeditiously take action against the staff of NDDC and contractors found culpable in the brazen criminality, contract scams, and embezzlement of the Commission since its establishment in 2000.

    The admonition is coming on the heels of the expose by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, which says that the recently submitted final forensic audit report of the NDDC had 12,128 abandoned projects that could not be traced to any contractor.

    President Buhari had in October 2019 ordered for forensic auditing of the Commission after pressures from governors from the Niger Delta region, civil society organizations, and Nigerians over the endemic corruption in the agency.

    Programme Coordinator at Social Development Integrated Center, Isaac Botti led the call during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE on RADIO, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Botti who lamented the culture of overlooking audit and corruption reports in Nigeria said President Buhari must address the gaps in the forensic audit report of the NDDC objectively and without bias, noting that the “NDDC forensic audit will not achieve anything if there is no political will to implement it”.

    “With regards to the NDDC forensic audit report, President Buhari should show the public he meant business, he should make the report available to the public, he should ensure that proper and right actions are followed and that will instill confidence in the public and show that he is ready to fight corruption.

    “If the President says he is fighting corruption, then let him fight it without bias and objectively which include doing everything that will help control the incidences of corruption and supporting every process that curbs corruption,” Botti stressed.

    He added that the two decades of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds meant to develop the region have been made possible due to corruption and failure to institute governing board of the NDDC; which plays a significant role in overseeing the operation of the commission.

    On his part, the Regional Editor of The News Guru Newspapers, Emmanuel Ovuakporie expressed discontent with the audit report and the auditors, while calling on President Buhari to create special courts that will swiftly tackle corruption in Nigeria.

    Ovuakporie said since the audit report on the president’s table is from the inception of the Commission every person who headed the commission in the past should be questioned, insisting that a special court to try corruption cases will ensure faster results.

    His words: “We need special courts to try corrupt politicians, if we have such courts, these people (corrupt Nigerians) will change their mindset. If you have a special court dedicated especially to try corrupt officers within a short period there will be swift judgment and people will know that there are courts that can take care of their issues without wasting time.

    “The forensic report covers from 2000 to 2020 which is exactly 20 years, so it means virtually everybody that has managed the commission from the beginning to date should be investigated. If Buhari wants to let us know that he is fighting corruption he should set up special courts to try corrupt officers,” Ovuakporie stated.

    He assured that The News Guru Newspapers will go the extra mile to inform the public of what is actually happening in the NDDC despite the difficulties associated with accessing information in government agencies.

    A Nigerian, identified as Joseph who called into the radio programme also had these to say: “The youth of the Niger Delta region should mobilize themselves, every youth should insist that this report be made known; Let us know who are doing these things, the best way to tackle the corruption is to know who are the enemies of the Niger Delta.”

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program used by PRIMORG to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program is supported by the MacArthur Foundation.