NDDC: our N183b story

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dan Abia, yesterday denied the allegation that N183.7 billion was missing from the commission’s account.

A special periodic check report of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation claimed that N183.7 billion was mismanaged by the commission.

The Auditor-General of the Federation, Samuel Ukura, insisted the report was correct and directed those not satisfied to be prepared to defend their position before the National Assembly.

But briefing State House correspondents after leading top officials of the commission to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, Abia denied the claim.

According to him, he was not the commission’s  managing director during the period the auditor general referred to.

He said his hands were clean and he would defend the allegation with available records from the commission

He said: “It is only proper that we should come and brief the President. I requested to meet Mr. President in my capacity as the managing director of NDDC; I was not summoned as reported in the media.

“We briefed the President on our mandate. As far as the audited account of the NDDC is concerned, how many of us know that the audited account under reference refers to 2008 to 2012. I was not the managing director then. Let’s get that fact clear.

“The second one on not having no assets I don’t know from when to when. On principle, I came to brief Mr President.

“Let me assure you that even by the admission of the auditor general, no N180 billion is missing. Because Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) as you know is governed by advanced payment directives.

“The Office of the Auditor General is a government agency, whatever clarification, we shall engage the office and proper records will be strengthened. I told the President no N180b is missing.

“Let me also tell you that I cannot be a party to contract splitting. NDDC is a unique institution, we have a budgeting process. Those people that are now crying, where were they when NDDC was not having project up till the end of the year?”