Senate confirms Lauretta as NDDC chief, other board members

The Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) board chairman, Mrs. Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie from Delta State, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday. She is President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant for New Media.

Also confirmed by the Senate is Chief Samuel Ogbuku for the position of Managing Director for a term of two years, to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor un office.

The Upper Chamber has also confirmed Major- General Charles Airhiavbere, retd  from Edo State, South -South for the position of Executive Director, Finance and Charles Ogunmola, Ondo State, South West for the position of Executive Director, Projects. 

The confirmation of the Chairman and other board members by the Senate was sequel to the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs by the Acting Chairman, Senator Buius Amos, APC, Gombe South.

The Senate however stepped down the confirmation of former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Egberanwen Odubu, State Representative, Edo State, South and Engr.  Anthony Okanne, Imo State, South East for non appearance for screening before the Committee.

Also confirmed were Dimgba Erugba (State Representative, Abia, South-East; Dr. Emem Wilcos Wills, State Representative, Akwa Ibom, South -South; Elder Dimaro Denyabofa,  State Representative, Bayelsa State, South -South;  Hon. Orok Duke, State Representative, Cross River, South-South;  South-East and Hon. Gbenga Edema,  State Representative, Ondo State, South – West.

Others were  Elekwachi Dinkpa, State Representative, Rivers State, South-South;  Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Abubakar, ( Zonal Representative, Nasarawa State, North-Central; Alhaji Sule Iko Sadeeq Sani Sami (Zonal Representative, Kebbi State, North-West; and Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN, (Zonal Representative, Adamawa State, North-East.

Remember that on Tuesday of last week, Senate Leader Senator Ibrahim Gobir, of the APC, Sokoto East, read the Executive Communication from President Muhammadu Buhari requesting that the Upper Chamber take into consideration the request for the confirmation of the appointment of the Chairman and Members of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in accordance with the provisions of section 2(2)(a) of the Niger Delta Development Commission(Establishment) Act, Cap N86 LFN.

As a result, the Senate’s President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, APC, Yobe North, directed it to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, which is chaired by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, APC, Delta North, for an immediate screening and report at today’s plenary.

President Buhari had on November 25, wrote to the Senate requesting confirmation of Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie, his special assistant for new media, as the chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, or NDDC.

In a letter to Senator Ahmad Lawan, President Buhari stated that the correspondent had acted in accordance with Section 2(2)A of the NDDC Act, Cap. N 86, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Lawan read the letter aloud during plenary on the Senate floor.

Buhari’s letter had  read thus,  “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.

“Copies of their Curriculum Vitae are attached herewith.

“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.”