PRESIDENT JONATHAN INAUGURATES NEW NDDC BOARD

President Goodluck Jonathan has embargoed award of new contracts in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the completion of ongoing projects.

Dr Jonathan gave the directive at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja while inaugurating the new board of NDDC chaired by Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw.

The President said the activities of the board and management of the NDDC would be “clinically watched’’, urging members of the board to avoid incessant squabbles that characterised the activities of their predecessor.  

He also frowned at the lack of concrete evidence to justify the huge funds released to the commission.

Dr Jonathan urged governors from the region to meet regularly by overseeing development in the NDDC.

Responding, Senator Ewa-Henshaw, said that members of the board are prepared to reverse the criticisms that have trailed the performances of the commission over the years.

Members of the new board are: the Managing Director of the Commission, Bassey Dan-Abia, Executive Director (Finance and Administration), Dr Itotenaan Ogiri, (Rivers) and Executive Director (Projects) Tuoyo Omatsuli (Delta).

Also on the board are, Turofade Oyarede (Bayelsa), Ephraim Sobere Etete (Rivers), Etim Inyang Jnr (Akwa Ibom); Adah Andeshi (Cross River) and Tom Amioku (Delta).

The other members are Samuel Nwogu (Abia), Uchegbu Kyrian (Imo), Maj.-Gen Suleiman Said (Niger, North Central) and Alhaji Abdumalik Mahmud (Bauchi, North East).
Edo and Ondo States and the North East are yet to be represented on the board.