The Federal Government through the ministry for Niger Delta Affairs has commenced the termination of unexecuted contracts awarded to various contractors in the region.
According to the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana O. Umana, the decision to terminate more than 4000 contracts in the Niger Delta region was a follow-up to the forensic report earlier conducted by the ministry.
The Niger Delta region is made up of the oil-producing states in Nigeria. These States include Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States.
Umana further stated that the unexecuted contracts scattered all across the Niger Delta region are adding up to the ministry’s list.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry intends to sanitise the way business is conducted by its agencies which include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“I want to assure you that we will faithfully implement the decisions of the government on the forensic audit report. if we had followed the procurement law and due process, I don’t think we would have this litany of abandoned projects.
When contracts are awarded without regard for the availability of funds for budget provisions, we end up with this kind of situation. Moving forward, we will make sure that sanity is returned”. The minister stated.
Umana also revealed that projects will henceforth be executed based on their impact and relevance to the community. He also reiterated that the ministry will collaborate with state governments and all other stakeholders to achieve prompt project delivery.
In addition, the minister noted the ministry will submit itself to public scrutiny by being transparent and accountable.
He also stated the forensic audit identified 13, 672 projects that the Niger De!ta Development Commission (NDDC) has embarked upon. Out of which, the commission has completed more than 6000 of the projects representing about 50 percent.
Meanwhile, Investors King learnt that out of a budget proposal of N20 trillion, a sum of N127.04 billion was proposed for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for the next fiscal year.