WARRI/Nigeria: Leaders representing the Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Communities Forum have extended their heartfelt congratulations to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, following his decisive triumph in the recent Presidential election and subsequent validation of his victory by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
However, their applause comes with an urgent call for the swift confirmation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board Members nominated by President Tinubu, in accordance with the NDDC ACT, 2000.
Chief Mulade Sheriff and Hon Goodness Gereghewei, Chairman and Secretary of the forum hailing from Delta and Bayelsa States respectively, jointly endorsed a press release highlighting the pivotal role of this nomination process in redefining the NDDC’s mission to drive development in the Oil and Gas Producing Communities of the region.
President Tinubu had unveiled his nominees for the NDDC Board on August 29, 2023, a move deemed crucial for the region’s progress. However, due to the Senate’s ongoing recess, the progress toward confirmation has hit a roadblock, sparking concerns among the forum’s leaders.
In a resolute appeal to President Tinubu, the forum has implored him to intervene and exert pressure on the Senate to expedite the necessary screening and confirmation of the NDDC nominees.
Their plea is rooted in the fear of history repeating itself, recalling the challenging times when sole administrators and acting Managing Directors were at the helm of the commission, resulting in a stagnation of development and economic growth in the Niger Delta.
In their concluding remarks, the leaders commended President Tinubu for his judicious selection of nominees renowned for their unblemished reputation and integrity, and they beseeched him to treat the constitution of the NDDC Board as an urgent matter.
They underscored the importance of promptly forwarding the nominees’ list to the Senate for screening and confirmation, thereby ensuring that the Board represents all member states and can effectively drive development initiatives in the region.
