The House of Representatives has confirmed the presidential designates to the Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), after appearing before the House ad-hoc committee mandated to conduct their screening on Thursday.
President Bola Tinubu had sought the ratification of the House of Representatives for the Niger Delta Development Commission’s Chairman and its governing board, acting in compliance with section 2(2) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc.) Act.
On 29th August, the President nominated Barrister Chiedu Ebie as NDDC Chairman and 16 others for the commission’s board.
Last week Wednesday, the Senate confirmed the President’s nominees.
The Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, on Thursday, charged the designates to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Bola Tinubu, saying.
“Now, more than ever before, the NDDC needs visionary leaders with integrity to drive the discharge of the commission’s mandate, to translate to tangible impact on the lives of the people and communities in the Niger Delta”.
The screening exercise featured presentations by Ebie; and the commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who shared details of their respective career trajectories, and vision for the NDDC.
Subsequently, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Ali Isa moved a motion for the designates to take a bow in deference to the fact that the Senate had similarly screened and confirmed the designates, and also in consideration of the fact that some of the designates are former parliamentarians.
The motion was seconded by Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, and unanimously carried by the committee.
Consequent to the ad-hoc committee’s resolve to confirm all the designates, the National Assembly is expected to immediately transmit its resolution to the Presidency, having effectively fulfilled Section 2 (2) (a) of the NDDC Act, which prescribes that the nominees must be screened and confirmed by the Senate in consultation with the House of Representatives.
The designates confirmed are:
- Barrister. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman (Delta State)
- Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (Bayelsa State)
- Mr. Boma lyaye, the Executive Director, Finance and Admin (Rivers State)
- Mr.Victor Antai Executive Director Projects (Akwa Ibom State)
- Otito Atikase Executive Director, Corporate Services (Ondo State)
- Dimaro Denyanbofa, State Representative (Bayelsa State)
- Mr. Abasi Nkono, State Representative (Akwa Ibom State)
- Monday Igbuya, State Representative (Delta State)
- Tony Okocha, State Representative (Rivers State)
- Patrick Aisowieren, State Representative (Edo State)
- Mr.Kyrian Uchegbu, State Representative (Imo State)
- Victor Akinjo, State Representative (Ondo State)
- Dimgba Eruba, State Representative (Abia State)
- Orok Otu Duke, State Representative (Cross River State)
- Nick Wende, Zonal Representative (North Central)
- Namdas Abdulrazak, Zonal Representative (North East)
- Dr.Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, Zonal Representative (North West)
According to the House leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, the designates are charged with the responsibility to chart a new course for the very critical interventionist agency and be just and fair to all the communities. He further charged the designates to be guided by the fear of God and respect for the constitution in the discharge of their duties.
“Nigerians expect to be proud of your achievements. You all owe the duty to Nigerians to perform.” Justice for all is justice for one, and justice for one is justice for all”, Prof. Ihonvbere said.
