NDDC Probe: Akpabio And Others May Not Escape This Time Around As Issues Get More Serious
The probe of the funds spent extravagantly by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has continued to attract more serious attention from the National Assembly and members of the public.
With the way things are going over the illegal spending, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and the IMC members may not escape the consequences if they fail to account for the huge fund that was spent. The National Assembly has commenced the probe of the illegal spending and seems very determined to get to the root of the matter.
The former MD of the NDDC, Dr Joi Nunieh, made some very interesting revelations about the whole issue which bring Akpabio to the limelight of the issue. She said that no spending in the NDDC takes place without the approval of Akpabio who is the supervising Minister of the agency. She added how Akpabio pressurized her to do some things when she assumed duty as the MD of the agency.
The main problem that necessitated the probe is that over N40 billion was spent in a space of three months without any tangible thing to show for it. Also, the spend money did not get the necessary approvals before it was spent which made the spending illegal. There is the a serious suspicion of fraud as some undeserved money and allowances were allegedly awarded to the members of the IMC without following the due process.
Although, there is a serious face off now between Akpabio and Nunieh over matters relating to the probe, Nunieh seems undeterred as she kept opening cans of worms which show that Akpabio and the members of the IMC have big questions to answer regarding the wasted fund of the NDDC. Amid the verbal exchanges between Akpabio and the former MD, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to protect Nunieh from any danger or likely harm. Wike said that Nunieh is a daughter of the state and the state government will ensure that it protects her in the midst of the whole drama surrounding the probe.
Wike appreciated the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to reposition the NDDC and make it better. He also pledged not to interfere with the whole process. The truth is that with Wike’s backing, Nunieh will be bold more than ever to expose everything that happened in the NDDC involving Akpabio, the IMC members and all the people who reportedly wasted the funds in question. Wike knows that Nunieh may be the target of likely attacks due to her resolve to open the can of worms regarding the illegal spending in the NDDC. He stepped in to make Akpabio, IMC members and the whole country know that his government will protect Nunieh who is a daughter of the state. His message is a strong one and those it concerns more would understand it.
As a government that vowed to fight against corruption, President Buhari’s administration will want to go all the way to reveal what happened in the NDDC that made the huge money to be wasted. The the National Assembly seems very determined to probe the illegal spending with a view to making the people responsible to face the consequences. In fact, the NDDC has been enmeshed in corruption controversies over the years. So, it is expected that a serious action would be taken by this administration with a view to repositioning the agency to do what it is supposed to do for the people of Niger Delta.
Already, the Buhari administration has probed and still probing some top officials of the government that are accused of corruption. It is expected that there will be no sacred cow. Anybody that is found wanting will be made to face the consequences of his or her action. While Nunieh is busy giving weighty details of how some alleged corrupt dealings were done in the NDDC under the watch of Akpabio, Nigerians watched and heard what the Minister said during his response to the allegations. Unless Akpabio and others still have more defense to make, what he has said so far actually deviated from the substance of the matter. It was more of delving into Nuniel’s other issues which is totally different from the allegations.
In the coming days, Akpabio, members of the IMC of the NDDC and all those fingered in the wasted funds will have to defend themselves by explaining how the huge money was spent. If they succeed in convincing the Senate and the federal government, then the matter will be resolved.
If not, they may face prosecution and the full weight of the law. Nigerians are watching to see how this big issue will be handled. Will the Senate do justice to it? Will Buhari’s administration stop the much talked about rot in the NDDC? Time will, tell.
Source: Opera News Hub
