The incumbent Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, survives board dissolution, and now reaffirms his commitment to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region
By Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has survived intense campaign by the Niger Delta Elders for Good Governance and Accountability who mounted spirited efforts to get him sacked. The campaign for his sack came after the dissolution of the former board of the commission which he was a member.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had dissolved the NDDC’s board earlier on after being sworn into office as president on May, 29, 2023 leaving the management team headed by Ogbuku to superintend its affairs until a new board would be appointed.
In a petition widely circulated in the media, the Niger Delta Elders For Good Governance And Accountability, headed by Donald Ewere averred that the leadership of NDDC was characterized by illegal, wasteful and unverifiable expenditure to the tune of N350 billion even as Ewere did not give a breakdown of the illegal, wasteful and unverifiable expenditure. Sources at the NDDC said the claim was speculative, hear say and unprofessional in thinking and orientation.
The Elders For Good Governance And Accountability also alleged that a rift existed between the leadership of the Senate, the presidency and NDDC over the retention of the management when the board was sacked. But sources at the commission said nothing of such exists now or in the past. An aide of the NDDC boss who spoke unanimously said the commission had a good working relationship with the leadership of the 9th Senate and the then Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.
The aide also dismissed insinuation of a top aide in the presidency angling to have Ogbuku retained at all cause. This he ascribed to the work of 5th columnist looking to benefit from political appointment or serve whatever political goal the election year in Bayelsa state will give them. The position of the chief executive officer of NDDC is one given on merit and Ogbuku earned it with his appointment as managing director.
“There is a cloud of suspicion on the authors of the petition that was written in the Buhari’s administration with different actors now being recast under the shadow of Tinubu which portends to nothing but politicking for favors in the new government by the elders:
“I am glad that the Tinubu’s government dismissed the petition as mere inanities unfit for the 21st century Nigeria and as such, I urged Nigerians to equally dismiss the petitioner and the so called Niger Delta Elders for Good Governance and accountability as journey men on a circus.” He stated.
A fortnight earlier, President Tinubu approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which includes Mr. Chiedu Ebie – Chairman – Delta, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku – Managing Director / CEO – Bayelsa, Mr. Boma Iyaye – Executive Director (Finance and Admin) – Rivers, Mr. Victor Antai – Executive Director (Projects) – Akwa-Ibom and Ifedayo Abegunde – Executive Director (Corporate Services) – Ondo.
States representatives are Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative – Bayelsa, Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono – State Representative – Akwa Ibom, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya – State Representative – Delta, Chief Tony Okocha – State Representative – Rivers, Hon Patrick Aisowieren – State Representative – Edo, Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu – State Representative – Imo, Victor Kolade Akinjo – State Representative – Ondo.
Others are: Chief Dimgba Eruba – State Representative – Abia Mr. Asu Oku Okang – State Representative – Cross River, Hon. Nick Wende – Zonal Representative – North Central, Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak – Zonal Representative – North East and Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir – Zonal Representative – North West.
Ogbuku, who spoke at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, on his reappointment expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him as the chief executive officer in the new NDDC Board. He pledged to vindicate the trust by working assiduously to speed up development of the Niger Delta region.
He stated: “I am humbled and honoured by the trust and confidence that Mr. President has placed in me by reappointing me as the chief executive officer of the NDDC. I thank him for this rare opportunity given to me to continue to serve the people of the Niger Delta and contribute to the transformation of the region;
“I also appreciate the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including the governors, legislators, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups, youth organizations, women groups, and the media, since we assumed office on January 4, 2023. I look forward to working with them more closely to achieve our common vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable Niger Delta.” He added.
Ogbuku further stated that the NDDC was committed to all ongoing partnership talks with various local and international entities. In his words: “The NDDC is open to collaboration and partnership with any organization that shares our vision and mission of developing the Niger Delta. We are currently in talks with various local and international entities to explore areas of synergy and cooperation that will benefit our people and our region. We are confident that these partnerships will yield positive results and impact on the lives of millions of Niger Deltans.”
Ogbuku assured that NDDC would continue to implement its mandate of facilitating rapid, balanced, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta. He called on Nigerians to support and pray for the success of the NDDC and its new Board.
On the appointment of the new board and management, President Tinubu stated that he expects that the new Board and Management team of the Niger Delta Commission will ensure a new era of successful development in the region, in line with his Renewed Hope agenda.
