[dropcap]G[/dropcap]rassroots Newspaper Publishers Network(GNPN) has faulted the Senates probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, maintaining that it could disrupt the ongoing forensic audit of the commission.Grassroots Publishers has reiterate her surprise at what the group termed “unusual interest” of the National Assembly in the tenure of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as expressed in her last press release.
As contained in a statement jointly signed by its National President, Chief Duke Okireka on Tuesday,circulated to journalists stated, “to a large extent, the Senate is not only setting up a conflict of interests with the Executive, but also, indirectly raising objections to the forensic audit.” the group said the action of the lawmakers conflicts with the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered the forensic audit.
“To a large extent, the Senate is not only setting up a conflict of interests with the Executive, but also, indirectly raising objections to the forensic audit. The Grassroots Publishers wishes to reiterate her surprise as the unusual interest of the National Assembly in the tenure of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, as expressed in our last press release.
According to the group, “Grassroots Publishers, as Media advocacy group, would have ordinarily welcomed the probe committee set up by the Senate on 13th May, 2020, but considering the timing, it is hard to accept.”
The group opined that, “this is not for any other reason but the fact that there is currently an on going forensic audit, instituted by President Buhari, on that commission. It is therefore a surprise that the Senate would rather probe an organization already being probed by an arm of the same Government.”
The statement further read: “Grassroots Publishers believes that the Senate could as well move a motion to the effect that whatever area of their interest, if not covered by the terms of reference given to the forensic auditors.
“We are worried that the IMC will rather be distracted in their mandate to the Niger Delta, faced by various probe teams. This is inimical to to the development of the region, which the senate claims to favour. This probe, coming at a time the commission has taken delivery and about to distribute Covid-19 Test kits and set up test centers in the 27 Senatorial districts of the region, is anything but well intended.
“Again, we are shocked that a senate that has refused to lend a voice to the clarion call by Grassroots Publishers and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, for urgent attention and completion of the abandoned East-West highway. This is a flagship project of the region, which is now comatose.
“We yearn for an effective NDDC, probably, more than any other individual or group has done in recent times, and we urge the Senate to support the speedy conclusion of the Forensic audit, while allowing the IMC the needed concentration to function.” the statement added.