Buhari orders speedy, coordinated investigation of NDDC

By ISMAILA CHAFE

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for better coordination in the ongoing investigation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the investigating agencies in collaboration with the National Assembly.

A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said Buhari stated this while reacting to unfolding drama, which include attacks and counter attacks between and around persons, institutions, and the NDDC.

The president warned that the affected investigators must ensure that the administration’s effort to bring sanity, transparency and accountability to the management of the large amount of resources dedicated to development of the Niger Delta sub-region is not derailed.

President Buhari expressed his strong determination to get to the root of the problem undermining the development of the Niger Delta and its peoples in spite of enormous national resources voted year after year for this singular purpose.

According to the directive, auditing firms and investigative agencies working in collaboration with National Assembly Committees to resolve the challenges in the NDDC must initiate actions in a time-bound manner and duly inform the Presidency of the actions being taken.

The president also directed timely sharing of information and knowledge in a way to speedily assist the administration to diagnose what had gone wrong in the past and what needs to be done to make corrections in order to return the NDDC to its original mandate of making life better for people in Niger Delta.

According to him, the administration wants to bring about “rapid, even and sustainable development to the region.”

He, therefore, gave firm assurance that his administration would put in place a transparent and accountable governance framework, not only in the NDDC but in all other institutions of government. (NAN)