The Nigerian senate has commenced a probe of allegation of misappropriation of the sum of N80 billion leveled against the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
While declaring open an investigative public hearing on the matter, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said such alleged financial recklessness cannot be condoned by the lawmakers and stressed the need for the prudent application of public funds by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs).
“We are in trying times when we all have to be concerned about the judicious use of scarce incomes. The NDDC is supposed to improve the lot of the Niger Delta community. It is unacceptable to hear about inappropriate use of resources or outright financial recklessness,” he said and urged all concerned work with the ad-hoc committee and assured Nigerians of the Senate’s commitment to fairness and transparency.
“This public hearing should further help the committee get more information, to enable them come to a pleasant conclusion on the facts on the ground, before reporting back to the Senate”, he added.
Responding, the Committee Chairman, Olubunmi Adetumbi, said the panel seeks to “investigate all financially related allegations, mismanagement and misappropriation and the breach of the extant procurement processes as enshrined in the public procurement Act 2007.”
