The Senate, on Thursday, began a fresh probe of alleged misappropriation of N6.2 billion by the dissolved Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The fund was to provide palliatives to cushion the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition summoned the newly appointed head of the commission, Effiong Okon Akwa, to respond to the allegations.
President Muhammadu Buhari had sacked the Kemebradikumo Pondei-led Interim Management Committee of the NDDC a few days ago and appointed Effiong Akwa as the new sole administrator of the committee.
Ayo Akinyelure, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition summoned Akwa to respond to the allegations, which happened during Pondei’s time, because according to him, “government is continuum.”
Sobomabo Jackrich, who claimed to be the Chairman of the NDDC COVID-19 Palliatives Distribution Committee, had in a written petition before the Senate panel, alleged that Pondei and his team mismanaged food and medical items worth N6.2 billion meant for distribution to the people in the nine Niger Delta region.
The chairman of the probe committee, Akinyelure said: “We are giving them (the new team) the last warning to appear before the committee or we would recommend their removal.
“They should come and account for the N6.2bn COVID-19 fund approved by the Federal Government for palliative which their predecessors mismanaged.”
