Buhari Bypasses NASS Passage Of NDDC Budget, Approves N722.3m For Forensic Audit

President Muhammadu Buhari has again bypassed the National Assembly over its delayed passage of the 2020 budget of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and approved N722.3m for the forensic audit of the Commission.

BIGPEN understands that the approval which was given at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, was stemmed from delayed passage of 2020 budget of the NDDC.

The NDDC ought to have funded the forensic audit exercise but it was moved to the presidency due to national assembly being on break.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, who disclosed this on Wednesday, however said the field auditors will carry out a complete forensic exercise of the NDDC activities in their respective states of assignments.

Akpabio also stated that field auditors would ascertain the total funds and resources paid to contractors for all projects carried out by the NDDC.

“By the time I assume office in August 2019, we discovered there was no budget for the NDDC for the year 2019 up to that September.

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“So, we submitted two budgets in November to the National Assembly. And it took quite a while until April. The budget details were given out to the NDDC in April, to end 31st of May, less than six weeks.

“Unfortunately, the National Assembly is right now on leave and the budget of NDDC for 2020 has not been passed. So, to enable us to move forward with the exercise and complete it on time, Mr President graciously directed and approved that the payment for the forensic exercise should be undertaken through the Presidency.”