Oil & Gas
PROF. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, acting managing director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has denied the reports in some sections of the media that N40 billion was missing from the accounts of the commission. He explained that the commission has nothing to hide and is ready to appear before any committee.
Speaking at the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, on Monday, July 20, Pondei said the commission was facing unfair media trials over the allegation of embezzlement. “The probe of the activities of the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission was predicated in the malicious allegation of N40bn missing from the accounts of the NDDC. This unfounded wicked allegation is yet to be substantiated and the IMC has been subjected to a media trial and judged even before presenting itself.
“False figures of expenditure have been released *leaked* to the press by interested parties, who want to truncate the changes going on at the NDDC and frustrate the forensic audit. Without fear or favour, I state categorically that no N40bn is missing. A chart showing false expenditure estimates has been promoted by the television station TVC. Part of the press appears to have been compromised and it is indeed shameful that the society watchdogs are participating in this inquisition. We have nothing to hide and so appeared before the adhoc Committee of the Senate.
“We restate our doubts of having a fair hearing with the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC chairing this probe. The documents showing his involvement are available for distribution, including N6.4bn contract for which N3.84bn was requested for payment. The IMC was inaugurated on 20th February 2020 with a mandate to reposition the NDDC for effective service delivery. No Hand-over notes were given. Account balance as at 20/02/2020 was N22, 896,976,827.78.
“The statistics provided by the CBN and AGF office at the Senate adhoc Committee hearing has now changed within one week. This is alarming and shows a preset agenda Revenue from Federal Government January 2020 to 31st May 2020 – N34bn. Expenditure from 31st October 2019 to 31st May 2020 – N81.5bn. The revenue and expenditure profile from 31st October 2019 to 19th February 2020 by the previous Interim Management Committee is available for distribution. Expenditure from 20th February 2020 to 31st May 2020 – N59.1bn.
“Physical verification/inspection with video and pictorial evidence. Payments as at 5th May 2020 has been published in major newspapers in which N35.3bn was shown to have been paid to over 200 contractors. The IMC did not award any of these contracts. Revision of payable project costs based on an evaluation by the commission has saved the Commission money. From 14 contracts N1.6bn was saved (Annexure B).
“Please note that a large proportion of payments were for the backlog of expenditure that previous Managements incurred and did not pay. Due to continuous pressure and embarrassment from creditors, the IMC decided to clear these debts. The originating memos with dates are available at the Commission for perusal.
Salaries and allowances
11,197,614,172.45
Trainings and workshops
311,849,853.00
Duty Tour allowance
184,780,665.50
Imprest
391,455,577.50
Scholarship programme
249,209,397.00
Covid-19 intervention
1,230,632,980.00
Programmes
977,844,500.55
Repair and maintenance
178,950,818.59
Security, Cleaning
244,040,580.00
Hotel bills
91,385,314.66
Others: stationary, reimbursement etc
796,275,892.59
Expenditure as at 05/05/2020
N15,854,039,751.84
“Allowances paid were approved by previous Boards and are contained in the Condition of Service,” he said.
– Jul. 20, 2020 @ 17:09 GMT |
Tags: N40bn probe: There is no missing money from NDDC accounts – Pondei
