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Senate at plenary, yesterday, constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged unauthorised spending by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for 2021 and 2022 budget estimates and stood down consideration of report of 2023 budget estimates of the commission.
Its resolution followed a motion by Adamu Alero, (PDP- Kebbi), alleging unauthorised spending by NDDC on its 2021,2022 and 2023 budget estimates.
Aleros’ motion and objection to consideration of the budgets was after reports on three budget estimates of NDDC was presented by Committee Chairman on Niger Delta, Amos Bulus.
Alero said it was a breach of the constitution by NDDC to engage on expenditure on the budget estimates without approval of the National Assembly.
Other senators, who raised concern over the consideration of the budgets, were Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) and Solomon Adeola.(APC-Lagos).
Adeola said there was an urgent need to carefully look at the 2023 budget estimates of NDDC as clarifications and further information were required on figures presented on the budget.
But Degi Biobarakuma (PDP-Bayelsa) urged the Senate to consider the 2023 budget as the budget estimates of the commission was presented before the National Assembly on time.
President of Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said there was an authorised expenditure from 2021 and 2022 budgets of the commission.
The committee, which has Yusuf Yusuf (APC-Taraba ) as chairman was given one week to turn in its report. Other members of the committee include Dickson, Uche Ekwunife, Abdullahi Yahaya, Saidu Alkali, Adetunbi Olubumi and Sadik Sulaiman.
