Leaders of women from various ethnic groups in the Niger Delta have urged President Bola Tinubu to release the findings of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
This call was made by Ms. Ann-Kio Briggs, who led a delegation, during a meeting with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of NDDC, in Port Harcourt.
The delegation comprised women from different ethnic organizations, civil society groups, faith-based and community organizations, market women, and NGOs.
The forensic audit, initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, was designed to investigate NDDC’s activities from its inception to August 2019.
However, despite the completion of the audit several months ago, the government has not disclosed when the forensic report will be accessible to the public.
Ann-Kio Briggs expressed discontent with the prolonged delay in releasing the report, particularly given the substantial financial investment made in conducting the audit. She emphasized that the women of the Niger Delta are dissatisfied with the lack of publication of the NDDC forensic audit report.
Moreover, she drew attention to the substantial outstanding debts owed to NDDC, which have significantly hampered the commission’s operational effectiveness.
Briggs emphasized that women in the region have long been marginalized despite their active participation alongside men in advocating for justice, equity, accountability, and regional development.
She pointed out that the absence of women’s rights in appointments, development initiatives, political representation, and economic acknowledgment is an issue that cannot be disregarded.
She urged Dr. Ogbuku, the Managing Director, to prioritize addressing the concerns raised by the women.
This includes taking steps to ensure that the ongoing engagement between the NDDC and women’s representatives yields meaningful results.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the region, Ogbuku noted that the commission is planning to launch projects and programs aimed at enhancing the capacity of women and youth in the area.
He revealed that the NDDC is in the process of organizing a Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit to address the issues faced by different groups, with a particular focus on women.
Ogbuku underscored the importance of women’s contributions to the region’s development and highlighted the intention to involve all stakeholders in shaping the NDDC’s strategies for regional progress.
He indicated that the upcoming summit would provide a platform for women to voice their aspirations for the future and allow various stakeholders to contribute ideas aligned with the current realities of the region.
