The Niger Delta region has received great attention since the 1950s. The region is renowned for its natural resources such as petroleum and gas. Also, about 65 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue and approximately 88 per cent of its foreign exchange reserves emanates from the Niger Delta region. Notwithstanding, socio-economic problems like militancy, environmental pollution, kidnapping, to mention a few have led to agitations for government intervention by residents and indigenes.
In 2000, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers as member states. The essence of the agency was to facilitate industrialization in the region. More so, the commission was to enhance transportation, agriculture, water supply, electricity, housing and urban development, among others.
Some achievements of the commission were postgraduate local and international scholarships to indigenous students. Also, the agency executed infrastructural projects that encouraged regional development and created employment opportunities for people. Nevertheless, a majority of these feats have been abandoned over the years. For instance, the photos and videos of protesting students, who were beneficiaries of the commission International Postgraduate Scholarships, surfaced on the internet.
Reportedly, the students have been stranded in the UK and were faced several hardships. Similarly, some could drop out from their various universities for the failure of the commission to pay their tuition and upkeep fees. Consequently, questions such as where are the funds allocated for these scholarships? Were the funds not included in the budget? What steps are in place to alleviate the worries of the students? and lots more come to mind in such situations.
According to BudgIT Nigeria, the Niger Delta Development Commission have received over $40bn (N15 trillion) since its inception. Regardless, the region remains a far cry from peoples expectations. Besides, staff members of the commission have become notorious for abuse of power. More so, incomplete projects have become prominent with over 4000 projects uncompleted. As a result, member states have practically remained underdeveloped, polluted, and poverty-stricken. Hence, organised groups clamored for a thorough audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Subsequently, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a forensic audit of the agency. Then, he ordered an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to take over the management of the commission. However, the audit process was marred with various allegations and counterclaims. For example, during the 2019 gubernatorial election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) party allegedly..read more: https://veegil.com/t/corruption-in-the-niger-delta-development-commission-nddc/349