Premium Times to launch research paper on financial recklessness of Niger Delta Development Commission

The Premium Times Centre for Investigation (PTCIJ) will be launching a 70-page-long research paper to expose the pattern of corruption and financial recklessness of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),

Penpushing reports that, the Programme Director of the Centre,Oluwatosin Alagbe in a statement said the centre is set to make a public presentation on Friday, August 21, adding that the event will feature a keynote address to be delivered by Dayo Olaide, the Deputy Director of the MacArthur Foundation on the need to immediately overhaul the agency at this time if development must be advanced in the agency.

The  statement added that, the event will feature a panel discussion with Henry Nwawuba, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, adding that  he will be dwelling  on the role of the National Assembly in performing oversight activities that ensure a more beneficial

Penpushing further reports that, Alagbe said, Nwawuba  will be joined by Seun Onigbinde, the Chief Executive and Director of BudgIT; a fiscal policy expert, Vivian Bellonw, Head of the National Advocacy Centre of Social Action in Port Harcourt; and Idris Akinbajo, the Managing Editor of Premium Times.

The statement disclosed that, a public policy expert and World Bank Consultant, Tobi Oluwatola  is billed to give an overview and review the findings and recommendations of the new research report on examining corruption and financial recklessness of the commission in the last 18 years.

Penpushing also reports that, Founder of Dataphyte, Joshua Olufemi  will be making a presentation on the beneficial ownership of companies that have executed contracts on behalf of the agency in the past years.

The  statement said the event will be moderated by Adenike Aloba, a media development professional and head of Media Freedom project for Premium Times Centre for Investigation (PTCIJ).

“The effort of the PTCIJ is particularly pivotal at a time when the agency has been in the news for a series of corruption allegations and unethical practices in the execution of developmental projects of which has robbed the citizens of its value (socio, economic health etc.), thus contributing to the poor quality of life inherent in the region”, the statement said

“Since the government is currently conducting efforts to probe the agency through the presidential declaration on forensic audits in 2019, this presents a window of opportunity as a media innovation and development centre to support the anti-graft effort by engaging citizens and different stakeholders as well as sharing vital information on this phenomenon as documented in investigative reports and from across project monitoring exercises in the Niger Delta region,” statement added.

Meanwhile, the statement explained that,the event is sponsored by the Premium Times Centre for Investigation (PTCIJ)  – a journalism innovation and development initiative in West Africa with its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.