Senate is looking into the disappearance of N100 billion from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), allegedly paid to 626 contractors as mobilisation for which no work has been done.
Senator Matthew Urhoghide who is leading the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to probe the NDDC, said that the committee will personalise any refund that would be traceable to an individual during the Investigative hearing. Senator Urhoghide regretted that over N100 billion was spent on contracts by the NDDC without justification for the spending.
The Senate Committee is relying on special periodic checks on the activities and programmed of Niger Delta Development Commission for the period between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2018.
Speaking during the meeting of the Committee, Senator Urhoghide said that the Committee has invited the management of the NDDC to appear before it on Wednesday, February 16.
”We have invited NDDC to come; they don’t have records of financial transaction. They will appear before us on Wednesday.
“They have 47 queries and we are going at the issue from 1 to 47 and we are going to personalise any refund.
“It is painful that N100 billion were spent without justification for it.
“We equally invite them for status enquiry on all revenue into their accounts. We are waiting for the NDDC, if they don’t come, we will take necessary action against them.”
Some of the queries read: ”it was observed that so many contractors were paid mobilisation fee to enable them to commence the execution of the projects awarded to them.
“Contrary to the terms and agreement, some of the contractors bolter away after collection of the mobilisation fees.
“The surprising aspect of it was that this practice involved 626 contractors in which the sum of N61.4 billion was lost to fraudulent practices.
“Irregularities in the execution of contract awarded to SETRACO Nigeria Ltd. for the construction of Gbaregolor- Gbekbot -Ogulagha road phase worth N16.1 billion.”
