We will resist attempt to extend NDDC Board of directors’ tenure – Concerned Niger Deltans

Worried by the alleged planned moves by some group of persons to extend the tenure of the board of directors in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, the concerned Niger Delta youths have vowed to resist the attempt saying, it will disrupt the rotation process that has been there since its inception.

In a protest letter titled ” Extension of Tenure of Out-Going NDDC Board- A Protest” signed by Yekini Nabena and exclusively obtained by The Daily Times, the group said that extending the tenure of the Board members will have a very negative impact to the next State in line that is bill to benefit from the rotation process.

Citing the provisions of the NDDC Act 2000 particularly Sections 12 of the Act, the concerned Niger Deltans maintained that the positions of the board members have been rotating from inception and that anything contrary to that will be in breach of the enacted Act.

While giving a brief break down of how positions in the NDDC office were shared beginning from the time of its inception; Nabena said,” Accordingly, these positions have rotated between member states from inception.

” The first Board of the commission was chaired by Chief Onyeama Ugochukwu from Abia State from 2000-2004.
The Managing Director Mr. G.E Omena was from Delta State, Omega was however removed from office before the expiration of his tenure. Hon. Emmanuel Agwariavwodo from Delta State was appointed as managing Director to serve out the un-expired tenure of Omena ( from the same state). In fulfilment of section 5(3) of the NDDC Act 2000.

” The chairman of the Board started in Abia State, moved to Akwa Ibom, to Bayelsa State and now Cross River State. The Managing Director started with Delta State, to Rivers State and to Akwa Ibom. Delta State was reappointed according to S3(1).

The Concern Niger Deltans further appeal to those concern to in the interest of peace correct the anomaly in order to ensure that adverse impact is not created to the State that is next in line to benefit from the rotation.

Francesca Iwambe- Abuja