The President Muhammadu Buhari nominations for the chairmanship of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Lauretta Onochie, and 14 other board positions are now being screened by the Senate.
In accordance with the requirements of section 2(2)(a) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Act, Cap N86 LFN, the Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East), read the Executive Communication from President Buhari requesting that the Upper Chamber take into consideration the request for the confirmation of the appointment of the Chairman and members of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
As a result, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North), directed it to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, chaired by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (APC, Delta North), for quick screening and a report before plenary on Tuesday of the following week.
Senator Bulus Amos (APC, Gombe South), the Vice Chairman of the Committee, will preside over the screening in Senator Nwaoboshi’s absence from the Senate.
Recall that on November 25, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote the Senate to request confirmation of Lauretta Onochie, his special assistant for new media, as chairman of the NDDC.
Considering that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta North) protested the omission of a representative from Delta State from the list, there were expectations that his request would have been granted.
Additionally, it was claimed that delays were made in the Executive Communication and its referral to the proper Committee in order to accommodate Delta State.
In a letter to Senator Ahmad Lawan, President Buhari stated that the correspondent had acted in accordance with Section 2(2)A of the NDDC Act, Cap. N 86, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Lawan read the letter aloud during plenary on the Senate floor.
Buhari in the letter had said, “Dear Distinguished Senate President, confirmation of appointments of Chairman and members of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“In accordance with the provisions of Section 2(2)A of the NDDC Act, Cap N86, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, I hereby present the underlisted 15 names of nominees as Chairman and members of the NDDC for confirmation by the Senate.
“Copies of their Curriculum Vitae are attached herewith.
“While I hope the request would receive the usual expeditious consideration, and confirmation of the Senate, Please accept the Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Buhari notes in the letter that Chief Samuel Ogbuku would serve as the Managing Director for a term of two years to complete the term of his predecessor in office; Bayelsa State, South-South.
Major General Charles Airhiavbere(retd) is the Executive Director, Finance, and Charles Ogunmola, Executive Director Project, Ondo, South-West.
Other members of the NDDC board as forwarded to the Senate are former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu (Edo State, South-South); Dimgba Erugba (Abia, South-East); Dr. Emem Wilcos Wills (Akwa Ibom, South -South;
Elder Dimaro Denyabofa (Bayelsa, South-South); Orok Duke (Cross River, South-South); Engineer Anthony Okanne (Imo, South-East) and Gbenga Edema (Ondo, South-West).
Others are Elekwachi Dinkpa (Rivers, South-South); Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, (Nasarawa, North-Central); Alhaji Sule Sadeeq Sani Sami (Kebbi, North-West); and Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN, (Adamawa, North-East).