Minister Abubakar Momoh Urges NDDC Transformation Through Audit Implementation and Financial Prudence

Minister Abubakar Momoh Urges NDDC Transformation Through Audit Implementation and Financial Prudence

In a keynote address delivered by the Honourable Minister of  the Ministry Of Niger Delta Development , Engr. Abubakar Momoh FNSE, at the 2-day top management retreat for the newly inaugurated Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), critical issues and challenges facing the Commission were highlighted. The Minister emphasized the significance of the retreat as a platform for the new leadership to address obstacles that have hindered the NDDC’s operations in recent years.

A major focus of the address was on the recently concluded Forensic Audit and its recommendations. The Minister urged the new Board to faithfully implement the audit’s findings in line with the President’s “Renewed Hope agenda.” This directive underscores the commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance within the NDDC.

Financial prudence in contract awards emerged as another pivotal point in the address. The Minister condemned the indiscriminate awarding of contracts without financial backup, considering it a criminal act. He directed that contracts should not be awarded without payment for work done, aiming to rectify the issue of indebtedness to contractors. The new Board was specifically tasked with gradually defraying such debts, starting with amounts not exceeding N30 million.

The overarching message from the keynote address is clear – the NDDC’s new leadership must confront the challenges head-on to ensure the effective and efficient operations of the Commission. By implementing the Forensic Audit recommendations and enforcing financial prudence in contracts, the Board aims to set the stage for positive transformation and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

As the NDDC enters a new era under this directive, stakeholders will be closely watching to see how the Board tackles these challenges and fulfills its mandate in alignment with the national development agenda. The call for transparency and financial responsibility signals a commitment to overcoming past setbacks and ushering in a period of positive change for the Niger Delta region.