Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF), has demanded that the full details of the NDDC Forensic audit report be brought to the fore for public consumption
This was disclosed during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
A statement read by Comrade Success Jack, the Chairman of the Forum recalled that about twenty five months ago, precisely on the 1st of August 2019; the Forum kick-started a struggle on NDDC, with a twenty one day ultimatum.
The Forum said that the struggle had three goals; i) the sack and non-confirmation of the Prof Brambaifa led NDDC board, ii) total probe of NDDC funds from inception till date iii) total review and amendment of ineffective bureaucratic laws that empower corrupt practices and impunity.
It further said that before the end of the ultimatum, it was given a by the Presidency that articles 1and 2 on the demands would be accented to with immediate effect, and subsequently, on the expiry date of the ultimatum, Mr President reassured the Forum of his commitment and gave the necessary directives to effect the demands in (i) and (ii) above.
“Few days later, the board was dissolved and the commencement of the forensic audit process was announced.
“At that time, we were lone voices chanting the unsavoury and impossible ballad. It was much later that some Governors of the region joined the choir.
“We are happy today that eventually, the probe has been successfully brought to an end. We salute President Muhammadu Buhari for mustering the courage and political will against daunting odds to pull it off,” according to the statement
The Forum thanked the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for providing legal guidance and all the backstage effort to make sure the process was not truncated adding, “This much we know, because of our involvement.”
The Forum having achieved the milestone, has now opened a new chapter in the story of the journey towards development and evolving a morally upright and socially balanced society that thrives on constitutionally enshrined principles of engagement, under a democratic setting.
The Forum therefore demanded that, It is now time for us to open a new chapter, in the story of our journey towards development and evolving a morally upright and socially balanced society that thrives on constitutionally enshrined principles of engagement, under a democratic setting. “The process was powered with taxpayers’ money and under this era of freedom of information law, Niger Deltans and indeed Nigerians have the right to know.”
The Forum also demanded that the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should be constituted immediately, saying that the audit had been the excuse given for the seeming endless delay in constituting the board.
“It is our hope that the necessary legal proceeding(s) would be activated to implement consequences on indicted offenders to the extent of their offense(s) in the coming days.
“We believe that the restoration of sanity and order would be given a great boost when sinners and saints are medicated according to prescriptions of the law,” the statement added
