 Acting MD, NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo PondeiÂ
By Our Reporter
National Assembly has uncovered how N81.5 billion was spent on foreign trips, condolences, community relations, other sundries during the coronavirus lockdown by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
The IMC allegedly capitalised on the coronavirus lock down in Nigeria to embark on leisure and non-development projects.
Interestingly, the non developmental projects embarked upon by the IMC are difficult to substantiate.
Highlight of the NDDC N81.5 billion-part expenditures was presented as follows:
Covid-19Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NN31.4 billion
Overseas travels for graduation of NDDC foreign scholarship beneficiaries   N85.6 million
Maintenance                                                                   N220 million
Legal services                                                                 N900 million
Lassa fever                                                                     N1.956 billion
Community relations                                                      N1.3 billion
Impress                                                                          N790.9 million
Condolences                                                                   N122.9 million
Consultancy                                                                   N83 million
DATÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â N486 million
Listed above were parts of the activities that the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC claimed to have taken place during the lockdown. Source at the National Assembly hinted National WAVES that the IMC will need to account for the number of deaths that costs N122.9 million condolence visits, number of court cases handled during the period of the expenditure, how many schools were operating overseas at a time governments were enforcing lockdown, among others.
