· But board chairperson, Lauretta Onochie, did not
By Ignatius Chukwu
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was gradually getting to explosion point. The board led by Lauretta Onochie was on collision course with the Management led by the MD, Dr Samuel Ogbuku. The tension was being patched up.
The first open confrontation was made possible by the MOU to build rail lines with foreign partners. This too was patched up.
Now, new president came in and the tsunami was a matter of time. When the storm cleared, the debris was everywhere littered with the bones of the board members. Dr Ogbuku survived.
Details:
The managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who resumed in January 2023, after being nominated in December 2023, has retained his position.
Anxiety was high when a new president resumed but it came to boiling point when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sacked all boards two days ago. Clarification soon came that two organisations were exempted but the NDDC was not mentioned.
Relief however came when a letter flew in from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs asking the CEO, Dr Ogbuku to continue doing his work.
All other directors and the entire board led by Onochie were flushed. Onochie had been in a running battle with Ogbuku. That seems to have ended.
Now, a statement from Dr Ibitoye Abosode, Director of Public Affairs of Commission Wednesday evening said; “The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has directed the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, to continue to oversee the affairs of the Commission until a new board is constituted by the President and Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces.
“This directive was contained in a letter dated June 21, 2023, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Shuaib Belgore, and addressed to the NDDC Managing Director/CEO.
“The Permanent Secretary stated; ‘Following the termination of the Boards of Federal Government Parastatals by the President on June 19, 2023, with the exception of Councils and Commissions listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 152 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I write to inform you of this directive.’”
The letter from the Ministry went on: “Consequently, you are to oversee the affairs of the NDDC until a new board is constituted by the President and Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces. All official correspondences requiring the attention of the President should be routed through the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, who will further liaise with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for necessary action.”
Belgore further directed: “You are required to provide weekly report on your financial and procurement activities for onward transmission to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Post scrip: Onochie seems unlucky anywhere outside the presidency. She almost made it as an INEC commissioner but opponents ambushed her in the National Assembly. The same forced seem to have caught up with her at the NDDC.
