The Senate finally confirms NDDC’s Lauretta Onochie, Airhiavbere, others ,steps down confirmation of Pius Odubu, Anthony Okanne for non appearance

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.

Chief Samuel Ogbuku, who will serve as managing director for the remaining two years of his predecessor’s time in office, was also confirmed by the Senate.

In addition, the Upper Chamber has approved Charles Ogunmola of Ondo State in the South West for the position of Executive Director, Projects, and Major-General Charles Airhiavbere of Edo State in the South-South for the position of Executive Director, Finance.

Following the presentation and discussion of the report of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs by the Acting Chairman, Senator Buius Amos, APC, Gombe South, the Senate confirmed the Chairman and other board members.

However, due to their non-appearance for the Committee’s screening, the Senate withdrew its approval of the former deputy governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Egberanwen Odubu, a state representative from Edo State’s south, and engineer Anthony Okanne from Imo State’s south east.

The following state representatives were also confirmed: 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.

Recall that on November 25, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the Senate requesting that Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie, a Delta resident and his special assistant for new media, be confirmed to serve as chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC.

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

On the Senate floor during plenary, Lawan read the letter.

“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.” the letter read.

According to Buhari in the letter, Chief Samuel Ogbuku would serve as the Managing Director for a term of two years to complete the term of his predecessor in office. Bayelsa State, South-South while Major General Charles Airhiavbere, retd is  the Executive Director, Finance and Charles Ogunmola, Executive Director Project, Ondo, South-West.

Other members of the NDDC board as forwarded to the Senate are Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu as State Representative, Edo State, South -South; 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;  Engineer Anthony Okanne,  State Representative, Imo State, South-East and Hon. Gbenga Edema,  State Representative, Ondo State, South – West.