The House of Representatives has screened the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
The screening followed a letter by President Bola Tinubu seeking the confirmation of the board and its members which led to the setting up of an ad hoc committee by the House.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee, Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu while addressing the Ad-hoc and nominees said that the screening process for confirmation was in fulfilment of the provisions of Section 2 (2)(a) of the NDDC Act, 2000.
The section states that “The Chairman and other members of the Board shall be appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, in consultation with the House of Representatives”.
She noted that the House was screening the same nominees, in the same manner they were screened in the Senate at the Senate Committee of the Whole.
“Thereafter the Committee shall make recommendations to the House for their confirmation”, She said.
On his part, the Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonbvere, advised the nominees to use their positions to make a difference in the Niger Delta region.
“This is a new calling. We are all familiar with the crisis, conflicts, contradictions, insinuations, and challenges that the NDDC has gone through over the years. We believe that this new crop will make a difference. Will think differently, do things differently, articulate issues differently, be fair and just to everyone, every region, every community without fear or favour”, Hon Ihonbvere said.
He urged the nominees to bring their very best values and networks to bear in the discharge of their duties.
“Each of you owes this country a duty to deliver. Please do your very best to deliver,” he added.
The nominees as contained in the letter from the president are as follows:
Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman (Delta); Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director/CEO (Bayelsa); Mr. Boma Iyaye, ED, Finance & Admin (Rivers); Mr. Victor Antai, ED, Projects (Akwa Ibom); Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, ED, Corporate Services (Ondo); Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa); Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono (Akwa Ibom); Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya (Delta); Chief Tony Okocha State (Rivers); and Hon. Patrick Aisowieren (Edo).
Others are Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu State (Imo); Hon. Otitio Atikase (Ondo); Chief Dimgba Eruba (Abia); Rt. Hon Orok Otu Duke (Cross River); Hon. Nick Wende (North Central); Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak (North East); and Senator Dr. Ibrahim Gobir (North West).
The Chairman and members were given the opportunity to say who they were and what they intended to do differently to change the narrative of the Niger Delta.
The Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said that his fellow nominees understand the enormous responsibilities bestowed upon them by the President.
“We pledge to uphold the trust with unwavering commitment if cleared by this House”, Mr. Ebie said.
The nominees were asked to take a bow and leave afterwards.
Dominica Nwabufo
