Corporate Social Responsibility: DELAYED INAUGRATION OF NDDC BOARD

Corporate Social Responsibility: DELAYED INAUGRATION OF NDDC BOARD: Niger-Delta Development Commission epitomizes hybrid Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by public and private sector, whether it is a mo...

DELAYED INAUGRATION OF NDDC BOARD

Niger-Delta Development Commission epitomizes hybrid Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by public and private sector, whether it is a model is a question which the recently concluded forensic audit is expected to answer. There is no doubt that the delayed inauguration of NDDC Board since its dissolution in 2019 and interim management in its stead, is unconnected with the time it took to produce the audit report. Unlike private corporate boards, NDDC attracts huge public interest. For this particular reason it would be difficult for the Federal Government to hurry to conclusions and decisions over the inauguration of the “new” board of NDDC that would not only correct the maladministration of the past but usher in the ideals encapsulated by the report and turn it into a model CSR institution. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami is the holder of the legal conscience of the nation and reflects the public interest and out-cry generated by the mismanagement that NDDC exhibited. With him in this assignment is Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to Federal Government. Both constitute “Fed. Govt.” on the one part as far as NDDC board inauguration is concerned. They seem to acknowledge the scope of their responsibility when they said: “The issues in contention, that is the composition, formation and inauguration of the NDDC board as well as application of the recommendations and/or implications of the report of forensic audit on NDDC are work in progress”. But if there is no time frame for the “work in progress” it may linger into limbo and equity defeated. A peep into the Report reveals the general laxity of people entrusted with public funds to be forthright with the high level of financial discipline and accountability. The controversy over the total sum in issue in the 18 years covered by the report (N6 trillion v. N2.4 trillion) should not be treated with levity. That should also be viewed alongside the questionable integrity of a report produced under unprofessional modalities. The recommendation by the Report for board members to serve on part-time basis should quickly be dismissed and tackle other recommendations, unless the NDDC Act is first and foremost amended. How could a government leaving office in approximately 1 year achieve this? The critical issue of appointment of board members and their eligibility criteria should urgently be addressed. If a glimpse into the past appointments is anything to go by, political consideration remains overwhelming. That shouldn’t be so. Federal government is controlled by APC, a fortiori board members representing oil producing communities are their card carrying members or coloration. What about apolitical persons and groups? For proper integration and social hegemony, community leaders, decision makers and informal business persons should be considered eligible board members. The issues raised here are not the totality of the forensic audit report but the cogent ones that could enable the government hit the ground running before people and communities get totally frustrated. If the indicted contractors are not up to something as alleged, just wondering how the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council would view the continued delay? Corporate Attorney/Consultant IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0075RXXLE COMPANY SECRETARIES HANDBOOK http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005783S6SDIRECTORS http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MKCESY MEETINGS: Dynamics and Legality https://tapestri.io/members/join/now/ideaworkshop