The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has charged the enlarged Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to co-operate with forensic auditors to audit the operations of the Commission as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The President had on Wednesday 19th February 2020, approved the enlargement of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC from three to five.
The five members of the Committee are – Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, Acting Managing Director replacing Barrister Joi Nunieh; Chief Ibanga Bassey Etang, Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration); Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Acting Executive Director (Projects); Mrs Caroline Nagbo (Member) and Cecilia Bukola Akintomide (Member.)
Inaugurating the new Acting Managing Director and Members, Senator Akpabio said President Buhari enlarged the Interim Management Committee to inject new blood into the Commission for better service delivery.
Senator Akpabio noted that change was inevitable in a Commission like the NDDC. He said the NDDC was passing through a phase that would soon be over and thanked President Buhari for giving the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs the responsibility of supervising the NDDC.
“I want to thank President Buhari for the interest he has shown in the Niger Delta region. That is why he ordered the forensic audit of the Commission. As soon as the forensic auditor was appointed, there was need to inject new blood into the Interim Management Committee. The NDDC must change and we will all work together to achieve that,” Senator Akpabio said.
Speaking further, he advised the Interim Management Committee members to work as a team to achieve the goal set for them by President Buhari, adding that as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he was not interested in running the NDDC, but he would be interested in how the NDDC is run.
The new Acting Managing Director, Prof Pondei thanked President Buhari for the confidence imposed on them to manage the affairs of the NDDC and see through the forensic auditing of the Commission.
Prof Pondei noted that a huge task has been bestowed on him to make a difference in the region. He solicited the co-operation of the Ministry and stakeholders in the Niger Delta to enable him and his team achieve President Buhari’s vision for Niger Delta.
Senator Akpabio had earlier administered the oath of allegiance and oath of office to the new Acting Managing Director and Members.
Deworitshe, Patricia
Head (Press & PR)
