Akpabio Inaugurates 3-man NDDC Interim Board Ahead Nominees ‘Rejected’ By Governors

Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated a three-man acting board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The inauguration came same day President Muhammadu Buhari formally announced the appointment of nominees into the board of the commission in accordance with relevant sections of the NDDC Act.

Buhari, in a letter addressed to the Senate President as it is customary done by him had asked the Senate to screened and confirmed the nominees in accordance with Section 2, subsection 2 (a) of the NDDC (Establishment Act 2000).

BIGPEN Online had in August while conducting a fact-check punctured the letter released to the media about the appointment owing to the manner it was announced.

In a formal letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan during Tuesday’s plenary session President Buhari named Pius Odubu, former deputy governor of Edo state, as chairman of the board, while Bernard Okumagba from Delta was named the commission’s managing director.

Other nominees include Otobong Ndem (Akwa Ibom) named executive director, projects, and Maxwell Okoh (Bayelsa), executive director, finance and administration.

Jones Erue was named the representative from Delta state, while Victor Ekhatar, Joy Yimebe Nunieh and Nwogu Nwogu will be representing Edo, Rivers and Abia states respectively.

Also included on the list are Theodore Allison (Bayelsa), Victor Antai (Akwa Ibom), Maurice Effiwatt (Cross River), Olugbenga Elema (Ondo), and Uchegbu Kyrian (Imo).

The other representatives are Aisha Muhammed (Kano, north-west), Ardo Zubairu (Adamawa, north-east), and Badmus Mutalib (Lagos, south-west).

Meanwhile, supervising Minister incharge of NDDC, Godswill Akpabio also announced the appointment of the acting board of the commission pending Senate screening, approval and subsequent swearing in of the newly appointed board by President Buhari.

The interim management committee comprises of Mrs. Joy Gbene Nunieh as the Acting Managing Director, Dr Cairo Ojuogboh as the acting Executive Director, Project (EDP) and Mr Efang as Executive Director Finance and Administration are expected to oversee the affairs of the commission pending when the forensic audit of the records of the commission as ordered by Buhari are completed and submitted to Mr. President.

BIGPEN Online had earlier reported that the appointment earlier announced in August was unpresidential following the way and manner it was announced.

This development had triggered series of widespread backlashes including rejection of the nominees by Governors of the Niger Delta states.

With President Buhari doing the right thing by conveying a letter containing the appointment which had become subject of litigation and controversy to the Senate for screening and confirmation, it could be said that the August 26, 2019 letter from the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, announcing a 16-member NDDC Board didn’t enjoyed the backing of President Buhari as earlier reported.