Reps screen, confirm NDDC board, management nominees

• The nominees appeared before an ad hoc committee, headed by Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu
• Ogbuku commended President Tinubu for appointing him and to serve Nigeria

The House of Representatives on Thursday conducted a comprehensive screening of the nominees for the Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The nominees appeared before an ad hoc committee, headed by Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, who emphasized the need for visionary and integrity-driven leadership within the NDDC.

Charging the nominees to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Bola Tinubu, Ibori-Suenu stressed that the NDDC required such visionary leaders to effectively fulfill its mandate and make a tangible impact on the lives of people and communities in the Niger Delta region.

NDDC Chairman and Managing Director/CEO designates, Mr Chiedu Ebie (Delta) and Dr Samuel Ogbuku (Bayelsa), respectively, shared details of their career trajectories and vision for the commission.

Ebie said he understood the enormous responsibility given to them by the president, while pledging to carry out their duty with utmost sense of commitment.

He promised a harmonious relationship with members, adding that projects needed would be commissioned by the board.

Similarly, Ogbuku commended President Tinubu for appointing him and to serve Nigeria through the Niger Delta, adding that his team was ready and willing to deliver for the people of Niger Delta.

Others screened included Mr Boma Iyaye, ED, Finance & Admin (Rivers), Mr Victor Antai, ED, Projects (Akwa Ibom), Ifedayo Abegunde, ED, Corporate Services (Ondo), Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa), Mr Abasi Ndikan Nkono (Akwa Ibom), Monday Igbuya (Delta), Chief Tony Okocha (Rivers), Patrick Aisowieren (Edo), among others.

The Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Ali Isa, moved the motion for the designates to take a bow in deference to the fact that the Senate had similarly screened and confirmed the designates.

He said this was also in consideration of the fact that some of the designates were former parliamentarians.

The motion was seconded by Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Abdullahi Halims, and unanimously carried by the committee.

Consequent on the ad hoc committee’s resolve to confirm all the designates, the National Assembly is expected to immediately transmit its resolution to the President.

Hon. Julius Inhovbere, the leader of the House, charged the nominees 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, saying that “Nigerians expect to be proud of your achievements”.