MARGARET CHIDERA
Mrs. Lauretta Onoche, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, has been named Board Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC).
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made this known at plenary on Wednesday, while reading a letter from Buhari seeking confirmation of appointment of a 15-member Board of NDDC with his Special Adviser on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, as the substantive Chairman.
The 14 members as contained in the letter are Dimgba Erugba (State Representative, Abia, South-East); Dr. M.M Willcox Wills (State Representative, Akwa Ibom, South-South); Elder Senator Dimaroe Daniya Bofa (State Representative, Bayelsa State, South-South); Hon. Orok Duke (State Representative, Cross River, South-South) and Dr. Pius Odudu (State Representative, Edo State, South-South).
Others are Engineer Anthony Ekenne (State Representative, Imo State, South-East); Hon. Gbenga Edema (State Representative, Ondo State, South-West); Elekwachi Dimkpa (State Representative, Rivers State, South-South); Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Abubakar, (Zonal Representative, Nasarawa State, North-Central); Alhaji Sule Ikoh Sadiq Sami (Zonal Representative, Kebbi State, North-West); Prof. Tahir Momoh SAN (Zonal Representative, Adamawa State, North-East); Chief Samuel Ogbokwu (Managing Director for a term of two years to complete the term of his predecessor in office. Bayelsa State, South-South); Major General Charles Emiahamre (Executive Director, Finance, Edo State, South-South) and Charles Ogunmola, Executive Director, Projects, Ondo State, South-West).
The letter read in part “dear Distinguished Senate President, confirmation of appointments of Chairman and members of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“In accordance with the provisions of Section 2(2)A of the NDDC Act, Cap N86, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“I hereby present the underlisted 15 names of nominees as Chairman and members of the NDDC for confirmation by the Senate.
“While I hope the request would receive the usual expeditious consideration, and confirmation of the Senate, Please accept the Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
However, a few lawmakers queried what was described as inequitable representation on the Board.
Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege complained that Delta State is not well represented on the board, just as Senator George Sekibo drew the attention of the Senate to the board screened and confirmed last year without being sworn in by President Buhari.
The Senate President in his response, promised to get the Executive informed on non adequate representation of Delta State on the board before screening and confirmation of nominees.
