The Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for forensic auditing of government agencies in the South-South region, particularly the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC).
It frowned at the lack of transparency in expenditure of public fund in such organizations.
The Project’s Legal Adviser, Mr. Andrew Nwankwo who made the call while speaking at a two-day workshop on promoting citizens’ actions for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources in the Niger Delta Region and other oil-producing communities in Nigeria,held in Port Harcourt,the Rivers state capital, pointed out that over the years SERAP has been committed to fighting corruption and expressed dismay that inspite of its efforts to make NDDC and other agencies transparent and accountable, government has paid deaf ears and lip service to the call.
He accused the government of accomodating corruption in the region among the elites, with the hope of accusing them of defalcating monies meant for their people in order to silence agitation in the region.
He noted that the impact of oil exploration has not transformed the lives of the people of Niger Delta as a result of monumental corrupt practices.
He revealed that over one trillion naira has been released to NDDC since its inception without much to show for it.
He said that now time has come for the people of the region to demand the benefit of oil exploration as well as ask for details of how monies are spent by their leaders as it is their right, adding that SERAP would always join hands with the people to ensure social justice and accountability over their common patrimony.
Our correspondent reports that the training workshop which was organized with the support of the Ford Foundation was aimed at bringing together community networks and associations, civil society organizations, media, women groups, people living with disability, MDAs, and other stakeholders in the Niger-Delta region and other oil-producing communities in Nigeria to discuss strategic actions and approaches to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector and management of public resources.
Also, to build the capacity of key stakeholders and come up with a plan of action for promoting citizens’ involvement in the fight against corruption in the Niger-Delta and other oil-producing communities in Nigeria and to ensure accountability in the management and use of public funds.