FG Speaks on NDDC MD position vacant
The Federal Government has warned distractions jostling for the position of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to desist from that, saying that the position is not vacant.
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The Federal Government also said that after the completion of four years by Bayelsa State, the Managing Director position will go to Edo State.
The clarification was made by the Minister of at the Regional Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, while inaugurating the South East Development Commission’s Board and the North West Development Board.
The Minister warned those he described as detractors causing unnecessary distractions and peddling rumours to cause disharmony aimed at derailing the commission’s developmental strides to stop it.
He emphasized that the NDDC board, as constituted, is in place to deliver on its mandate and does not need to be disbanded.
The Minister dismissed claims that the current MD, Samuel Ogbuku, from Bayelsa State had overstayed, revealing that his tenure was renewed for another four years effective from October 2023.
He stated that only President Bola Tinubu has the authority to end anyone’s appointment, urging those seeking a change in administration to direct their grievances to the Presidency instead of spreading falsehoods.
Momoh expressed his excitement about the numerous projects already executed by the current NDDC board, warning against any form of political confusion or infighting, which could derail the developmental progress being made in the Niger Delta.
He stressed the need for stability and focus so that the commission can continue delivering meaningful projects to uplift the region.
He told members of the board: “For the provision of the act, your tenure is four years and by the grace of God, you are expected to spend four years all things being equal nothing happens. And after your four years tenure if it is the wisdom of Mr. President to re-appoint you the relevant provisions of the act say that.
“I am saying this against the backdrop of recent complaints and clamours that I receive from different parts of the country particularly the South -South, Niger Delta region. Last week, I had a lot of complaints people protesting asking me that the board of NDDC needs to go.
“I asked why must the board of NDDC go because they were appointed on the basis of the act and the act specifies that as a board you have four years to remain in power. Within that four years of nothing happens and Mr. President wants to bring you back, he can reappoint you.
“They now told me that the MD particularly the state he comes from has spent four years and for that reason,the should give way to another state. I now engaged them I said it is unfortunate that some of you are not privy to what is on ground.
“It is true that Bayelsa State by the provision of the act, Timi Alibe spent two years and he was expected to spend two years but when this administration came in, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu renewed the tenure of MD for another four years with effect from October 2023.
“So, for all of you clamouring that the MD should go, if you want a replacement you can meet the President, he is the only person that can say that that person’s tenure is over and Mr. President has not said that and for those of you who may want to peruse the appointment letter that was issued to the MD, this is the appointment letter starting from 25th October 2023, so you can calculate four years from there.
“It is in the same way the Managing Director of North East Development Commission was renewed .
“I am proud that since this management team came, they have been doing a lot. So many projects we have commissioned and many more we are going to commission. Before now it was not possible because of in fighting.”
The Minister also took the opportunity to clarify the succession process for the MD position, stating unequivocally that after Bayelsa’s turn, the leadership must rotate among the nine Niger Delta states as stipulated by the Act governing the NDDC based on the quantum of oil production and that Edo is next.
He said: “I want also to make it clear today because those people who are clamouring for the removal of the MD who is from Bayelsa, they are also doing it for the point of view of selfish interest, they are thinking that after removing him Delta State will produce, that’s wrong.
“By the provision of the act of NDDC, the position of the Managing Director has to rotate among the nine states in the order of the quantum of oil production. That’s the more reason in 2000 when the NDDC was established, Omene who was from Delta was the first Managing Director and he couldn’t complete his tenure and it was completed by Emma Ohwavborua.
“So, it’s not the turn of Delta State again to produce the Managing Director. I want to cite this as a point of clarification for those who believe that they can create confusion in the Niger Delta.
“Delta State has taken it, the next I think it was either Bayelsa or Rivers took it, followed by Bayelsa, now what Bayelsa is doing is to complete the tenure of Timi Alibe and Mr. President said no, you have to continue for another four years.
“So, if the position of the Managing Director is by quantum of production , after now, the next state is Edo, followed by Ondo, followed by Imo and followed by Abia. So this is the order.
“But in terms of the Chairmanship, the Chairman goes round in the alphabetical order, so that is the point I feel I have to make clear to you so that people should allow those who have been appointed to work, to do their job.”
Engr. Momoh lauded President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership in establishing the commissions to address regional disparities and foster economic growth.
He also commended the National Assembly for the swift passage of the bills that led to their creation, emphasizing the importance of these commissions in harnessing the economic potential of the South East and North West regions while addressing their unique developmental challenges.
