NDDC: Senate President Lawal Says Akpabio’s Interim Committee Is Illegal, “Newly Confirmed Board Members Must Take Over Immediately”

Fresh trouble looms in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan asked the newly confirmed board members to take over the affairs of the agency immediately.

Sponsored Ads

Lawan stated this after the Senate confirmed the appointment of the nominees forwarded to the Senate last week, saying the law setting up the NDDC does not recognise any interim arrangement once a board is in place.

Sponsored Ads

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, had set up an interim management team that would be in place for six months to oversee a forensic audit of the agency.

According to The PUNCH, Lawan said the new board, members should take over immediately according to the law setting up the NDDC.

He added that inaugurating the new board members would not affect the works of the forensic auditors.

Lawan asked the senate committee on the NDDC to be alive to its responsibility by carrying out its oversight functions.

First to be confirmed was a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu as Chairman of the Board followed by the nominee for the position of Managing Director, Bernard Okumagba.

The Senate also confirmed the nominee for the position of Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Maxwell Okoh from Bayelsa State.

Others confirmed by the red chamber include Delta State representative, Jones Erue; Victor Ekhator (Edo State) and Nwogu Nwogu (Abia State).

Others are Theodore Allison, representing Bayelsa State, Victor Antai (Akwa Ibom); Maurice Effiwatt (Cross River State); Olugbenga Elema (Ondo State); and Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian (Imo State).