NDDC Seeks Approval Of Lawmakers For Spent Budgets For Three Years

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has presented a total of N2.2 trillion naira budget to the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.

According to the commission, the budget covers 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

The National Assembly had withheld the budget of NDDC for the three years that the commission had been without a governing board.

The federal government had in January 2023, inaugurated the NDDC governing board with Lauretta Onochie as
its chairman and Samuel Ogbukwu as Managing Director.

Mr Ogbukwu who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC for budget presentation and defence said, an aggregate expenditure of N485.7 billion is proposed for the commission in 2021, N928.2 billion in 2022 and N876 billion for 2023.

He said the consolidated appropriation bill christened: “Budget of Rewind to Rebirth” is based on assumptions of revenue such as revenue brought forward, federal government contribution, unpaid arrears and recoveries by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ecological fund, oil companies contribution and other realised income.

The Managing Director also said that the revenue estimate includes cash brought forward of N35.5 billion in 2021, N3billion in 2022 and N5 billion in 2023; federal government statutory transfers of N85 billion for 2021 and N150 billion for 2022 and 2023 each fiscal year.

He said that others were “Unpaid arrears of N100billion from the Federal Government for 2021, N504billion for 2022 and N450billion for 2023 being expected revenue from the Federal Government through recovery by the EFCC from oil companies.

“Expected revenue of N250 billion from the Oil & Gas companies for 2021, 2022 and also for 2023 fiscal year. Expected N15 billion from Ecological fund for 2021, N20.7 billion for 2022 and N20 billion for 2023.

“N200 million is expected from internally generated (bank interests and sales of boarded items) for 2021 while N500million is expected
in 2022 and 2023 respectively.”

According to Ogbukwu, out of the total budget estimates for 2021, personnel cost is N28.2 billion while N34.2 billion is proposed for 2022 and 2023.

The NDDC boss also said that overhead costs are projected at N14.5 billion for 2021 and N16.5 Billion for 2022 and N17.4 billion for 2023.

On the capital expenditure, he said that
an aggregate sum of N440 billion is proposed in 2021 while N873 billion is proposed for 2022 and N820.5 Billion for 2023.

Mr Ogbukwu noted N2.9 billion is proposed for the Internal Capital (Fixed Assets budget for 2021 while N3.7 Billion for 2022 and 2023

Budget performance

On the performance of the 2020 budget, the Managing Director said: “a total of N453.2 billion was appropriated for expenditure in the 2020 approved budget. This comprises N41.3 billion (9 per cent) for recurrent and N411.8 billion, (91 per cent) for capital expenditure.

“A total of N164.1 billion was received from various sources to fund the NDDC 2020 approved budget in the budget year 2020 (Jun 1st 2020 Mar 31st 2021). This comprises N32.6 billion representing (51%) from the Federal Government and N119 billion representing (37%) from Oil & Gas companies. We had a carry forward of N12 billion from 2019 representing (100%) and an additional inflow of N469 million representing (235%) from other sources which include sales of tender form, sale of assets, excess bank charges recoveries etc.

“Actual expenditure amounted to N157 billion from Jun 1st 2020 till March 31st 2021. This comprises N20.7 Billion for personnel, N6.6 billion overheads, N814 Million Internal capitals and N129 billion capital putting the performance at 35%.

“Greater portion of the Commission’s available financial resources were directed to the completion of critical infrastructure under emergency rehabilitation of failed roads in the Niger Delta and clearing of waterways in ecological sectors.

“In view of this, a total of N129 billion was paid on developmental projects/programmes in the fiscal year, which elapsed March 31st 2021 putting the performance at 32%.”

Execute critical projects

In his remarks before the Executive Session, the chairman, House Committee on NDDC, Tunji Ojo vowed to put the commission on its toes to implement its mandate of developing the Niger Delta region.

He tasked the commission to embark on a critical project that would add value to the people of the region, saying it was high time the NDDC serves its purpose.

“You need to implement critical projects that will add value to our people. The people are in need of renewed hope and this should be provided.

“When we need to stand against you we will and when we need to cooperate with you we will not hesitate. The overall good of the region is our priority.

“The people are hungry for development, not ego fight, blame game or bulk passing. The people of the region need hope. We can’t afford to lose this,” Ojo said.

The Chairman reminded the leadership of NDDC and the board members present that it was the desire of the committee that the presented budget must take care of the general interest of the people of the region as they are seriously hungry for development and empowerment.

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