Niger Delta Governors To Meet Buhari Over NDDC Board

By Amechi Ekpeneru

Governors of the states making up the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have resolved to meet President Muhammadu Buhari to express their concern over the recently composed board of the interventionist agency.

Governor Seriake Dickson who addressed journalists after their meeting on Thursday at Bayelsa State Lodge in Maitama, Abuja said the new appointments had given cause for concern.

He however appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to remain calm.

Dickson said the governors were unanimous in their concern about the governance process in the NDDC and the way and manner the recent appointments were made.

“Accordingly, we have decided that as soon as it is convenient for Mr President, we intend to have an audience with him,” he said. 

The NDDC states are Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

President Buhari recently composed a new board for NDDC with former Edo State Deputy-Governor, Dr Pius Odubu as Chairman-designate.

Other appointments contained in the statement issued by the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) had Bernard Okumagba from Delta State, as Managing Director of the commission.

The 16-man new board also has as members, Otobong Ndem from Akwa Ibom, who was appointed as the Executive Director, Projects; Maxwell Okoh from Bayelsa State; Jones Erue from Delta State; Victor Ekhatar from Edo State; Joy Nunieh from Rivers State; Nwogu Nwogu from Abia State; Theodore Allison from Bayelsa State; Victor Antai from Akwa Ibom State; Maurice Effiwatt from Cross River State; Olugbenga Elema from Ondo State; Uchegbu Kyrian from Imo State; and Aisha Muhammed from Kano State representing North-West area on the board.

Ardo Zubairu from Adamawa State is to represent the North-East; while Badmus Mutalib from Lagos State will represent the South-West region on the board.

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