It was observed that the sum of ₦86,531,503.00 paid as compensations in respect of economic crops/ trees, shrines, fish pond, polluted water etc to 1,195 persons affected by the proposed constructions of Etono – Biakpan – Eziafor – Asaga road with spurs and bridges by the Commission. It was further observed that there was no independent Estate valuer that was engaged to carry out the enumeration and the costing of compensation due for payment; thus, no field report from estate valuer. Examination revealed that all proposed compensations were “provided for in the BEME” and therefore, payment of the sums of ₦86,531,503.00 by NDDC amount to double payment. Hence, it violates Financial Regulation 3106 which states that “a public officer who makes an irregular payment from public funds. the amount involved shall be recovered from the officer”.

Risks
Payments might have been made to other people rather than the intended beneficiaries.
Wastage of public fund.

Recommendation
The Managing Director should recover and remit the sum of ₦86,531,503.00 to the Federal Government Treasury and evidence of recovery forwarded to the Office of the Auditor-General for Federation for verification.