ABUJA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Muhammadu
Buhari has ordered a close audit of the government organization
set up in 2000 to develop the oil-rich but stubbornly poor Niger
Delta region.
Despite the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) having
been at work for nearly 20 years, the region remains largely
underdeveloped.
Buhari's office said on Thursday that the audit would cover
nearly the entire history of the NDDC, from 2001 to 2019.
"With the amount of money the federal government has
allocated to the NDDC, we'd like to see the results on the
ground," Buhari said, adding that "one cannot see" the work that
should have come from billions spent by the group.
"Those that are responsible for that have to explain certain
issues."
The statement came after a visit to the presidential villa
by governors of the states that make up the commission, led by
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.
Buhari said he would wait for the concluded audit before
taking any further action.