News
NDDC Forensic Audit Team Begins Work
As part of efforts to actualize President Muhammadu Buhari’s desires to ensure that monies meant for the development of the Niger Delta are prudently spent and accounted for, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has given additional working tools to the Forensic Audit Team to enable them deliver on their on-going mandate.
Speaking during a press briefing at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, revealed that the 16 field forensic experts enlisted to audit the activities and operations of the commission have since commenced work with a number of contract files for projects and programmes awarded between 2001 and 2019, handed over to them.
Pondei explained that for the team to succeed, the commission decided to hand over 17 vehicles to enhance the performance of the forensic auditors, including one Hiace Coaster bus; four 18-seater buses and 12 Hilux vans.
He stressed that the NDDC was showing transparency by availing the forensic auditors access to all working tools to deliver on their mandate.
“I want everybody to know that the forensic team process has been on, and is going on very strong. I hope that by the end of the day, the forensic audit will unravel a lot of things that were going on in the commission. It is not a politically-motivated exercise, but just to ascertain the true state of things, and recommend ways forward to make sure that the commission delivers its full mandates,” he added.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Effiong Akwa, stated that the exercise was not a witch-hunt, but was designed to ensure proper accountability and transparency.
On his part, head of the Lead Consultants, Olumuyiwa Basiru & Co., Mr Joshua Bashiru, stated that the event signifies another important milestone in their quest to unravel what had happened in the commission for the past 20 years, promising to give the management update on what they have done thus far, and where they are headed to.
Bashiru disclosed that the team would interface with the state directors and departmental directors, today, in order to find a common ground going forward, noting that as an interventionist agency, the commission needs to take stock of what it has done in the past and what is outstanding, and promised to put the tools given to them to effective use.
The Tide observed that Hilux vans were allocated to Edo, Ondo, Abia, Bayelsa, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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