The Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC, Managing
Director, Mr. Dan Abia, yesterday, met with President
Muhammadu Buhari for the first time since issues of funds
misappropriation to the tune of N183.7 billion was raised by the
Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, against
the commission, stating that the allegation was completely
false.

Following an audit report on NDDC from 2008 to 2012, Ukura
had said the commission had a case to answer.

Briefing journalists after a meeting with President Buhari at the
Presidential Villa, Abia said no money was missing and he also
dissociated himself from issues of contract splitting.

• 
  He said:
  
  “It is only proper that we should come and brief the
  President. I requested to meet Mr. President in my
  capacity as the Managing Director of NDDC. I was not
  summoned as reported in the media. We briefed the
  President on our mandate.
  
  “As far as the audited account of NDDC is concerned,
  how many of us know that the audited account under
  reference refers to 2008 to 2012? I was not the
  Managing Director then. Let’s get that the facts clear.
  
  “The second one, on not having assets, I do not know
  from when to when. On principle, I came to brief Mr.
  President properly. “Let me assure you that even by the
  admission of the auditor General, no N180 billion is
  missing.
  
  “The Office of the Auditor General is a government
  agency. We shall engage the office and proper record
  will be strengthened. I said that even before the
  President that no N180 billion is missing. “Let me also
  tell you that I cannot be a party to contract splitting.
  NDDC is a very unique institution; we have a budgeting
  process.
  
  “Those people that are now crying where were they
  when NDDC was not having project up till the end of the
  year.”
  
  
  Vanguard