Okon Bassey in Uyo Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has set July ending 2021 as deadline for conclusion of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari. Akpabio stated this at the commencement of the physical verification phase of the audit at Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo. He said the audit was part of the internal reform of NDDC. The minister said the 16 field auditors selected for the field audit would now begin to identify and verify projects across the Niger Delta. He rejected rumours that the forensic audit had derailed, saying detractors are falsely claiming that the forensic audit is being used as a ploy to continue with NDDC’s interim administration.