President Buhari Directs Re-composition Of NDDC Board, Approves IMC

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday directed the re-composition of the Dr. Pius Odubu-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Board of Directors after screening and confirmation by the Senate.

In addition, the President also approved the existence of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), for the NDDC led by Dr. Joi Nunieh as constituted by the minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

These were contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, in which he equally directed that the supervisory power over the NDDC would continue to rest with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

The President said the IMC of the NDDC would function until the forensic audit of the accounts and activities of the commission, which he earlier directed to be carried out is completed.

The Board, which was screened by the Senate on October 30, 2019, has not been inaugurated by the President, a situation that has raised a lot of dust from many stakeholders and groups in the Niger Delta region.

The Board of the NDDC which was yet to be inaugurated but already screened and confirmed by the Senate has Dr. Pius Odubu, from Edo State as Chairman with Chief Bernard Okumagba from Delta State as Managing Director while Mr Maxwell Omo from Bayelsa was to serve as Executive Director, Finance and Administration and Engr. Otobong Ndem as Executive Director, Projects.