Just in: Reps halt NDDC release of N15bn humanitarian Fund to FG

Reps halt NDDC release of N15bn humanitarian Fund to FG

The House of Representatives has asked the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to suspend the release of N15bn counterpart funds requested by the Federal Government until the approval of its budget by the House.

This came on Thursday after the adoption of a motion on matters of urgent public importance by Unyime Idem at the plenary.

Idem disclosed that the FG had sent a special request mandating the Ministry of Niger Delta to jointly finance an intervention and humanitarian programme running into billions of naira using the money recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without budgetary provision.

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The lawmaker said the NDDC budget estimates for 2021, 2022 and 2023 are still before the House for legislative approval.

Idem said, “Such request for intervention and humanitarian proposals by the Federal Government without requisite financial appropriation and approval by this honourable House is illegal and a breach of the Appropriation Act.

“Part of the funds available for use by the commission is money recovered on its behalf by the EFCC and given to the commission to ease the implementation and its financial obligations”.

He said the Ministry of Niger Delta was inaugurated and commissioned by the Presidency to attend to intervention and humanitarian needs of the Niger Delta region of the country and promote the physical development of the Niger Delta region.

The House therefore mandated its committee on the NDDC to scrutinise the FG’s request and report back to the house within two weeks.

Reps halt NDDC release of N15bn humanitarian Fund to FG