President of the Nigeria Senate, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan has in his address to commence the investigative hearing into the alleged N40 billion Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said, Nigeria was at a trying time that can’t condone financial recklessness in any agency.
He the Parliament will have to conduct the investigative hearing in order to underscore transparency and accountability in the alleged N40 billion spent the Interim Management Committee (IMC) in three months.
“I am pleased to be here at this important public hearing. The hearing is important because it underscores the need for transparency and accountability, which we have always emphasized as a nation.
“Financial recklessness is not an attribute that anyone can afford, whether rich or poor. It is even worse with the poor, or for the organisation or country with limited resources.
Lawan insisted that prudence must guide spending in all agencies of government. .
“This is the reason we have always highlighted the need for prudence in the application of public resources.
“The time when public resources is seen as nobody’s resources is long gone. We are in trying times, when we all have to be concerned about judicious use of scarce incomes.”
He frowned at the inappropriate use of financial resources in the Niger Delta Development Commission, saying that the agency was specifically meant to address the plight of people of the communities.
According to him, the Committee had been adequately fortified with information that would guide them on the investigation, insisting that Senate must see to the end of the exercise.
“This Senate is a responsive Senate, and it was partly the reason we made up this all-important committee in our sitting on Tuesday, 5th May 2020 to investigate the Alleged Financial Recklessness at the NDDC.
“I am happy the ad hoc committee has made excellent progress by requesting and receiving vital information from identified stakeholders.
“This public hearing should further help the committee get more information, to enable them to come to a pleasant conclusion on the facts on ground, before reporting back to the Senate.
“I have trust in the ability of this committee to do the right thing, but I add that you all have to cooperate with them and be open-minded and frank with your submissions.
“The Senate will be fair to all. Our aim is to get all evidence, to make excellent decisions, to benefit the citizens. Your cooperation is therefore very important.
“With your enthusiasm you are all hopefully ready to be frank. We cannot afford to do any less than patriots. The ball is therefore in our collective courts.”
