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Buhari Sacks Nunieh As NDDC Acting MD
President Muhammadu Buhari has reorganised the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), replacing Barrister Joi Nunieh with Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, as acting managing director.
The President also increased the number of the committee members from three to five persons, in a surprise shake-up that saw only Nunieh dropped from the IMC.
The other members of the committee retained include, Acting Executive Director (Projects), Dr Cairo Ojougboh; and Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration), Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang.
However, the president also enlarged the IMC with the addition of Mrs Caroline Nagbo as member; and a former vice president with African Development Bank (AfDB), Mrs Cecilia Bukola Akintomide as member.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday, gave no reason for the replacement of the Nunieh with Pondei.
The statement reads in full, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the enlargement of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from three to five.
“The five members of the committee are now: Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, who is the acting managing director, replacing Barrister Joi Nunieh; Acting Executive Director (Projects), Dr Cairo Ojougboh; Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration), Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang; Mrs Caroline Nagbo (member); and Cecilia Bukola Akintomide, a former vice president with African Development Bank (member).
“Prof K.D. Pondei, the new acting managing director, is a Professor of Medicine at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, and former provost, College of Health Sciences of the institution.
“President Buhari had earlier approved that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) would be in place till the forensic audit of the NDDC was concluded”, the statement said.
It would be recalled that President Buhari, on January 28, 2020, had stepped down a list of board members for the commission, which had been earlier screened by the Senate, informing that he wanted to reconstitute the board.
Also, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on October 30, 2019, announced the inauguration of the three-man Interim Management Committee, headed then by Barrister Joi Nunieh.
The inauguration of the IMC, compilation of a list for a substantive board, ostensibly ratified by President Buhari, notwithstanding, had generated serious heat across the Niger Delta region then.
The ditched list of board members was topped by Dr Pius Odubu from Edo State as chairman; Chief Bernard Okumagba from Delta as managing director; Engr Otobong Ndem from Akwa-Ibom as executive director (Projects); and Maxwell Oko from Bayelsa as executive director, Finance and Administration.
Stakeholders from different states of the region had accused Akpabio of working to hijack the commission and retard the development of the region.
However, Akpabio had explained, in several media interviews that the IMC was President Buhari’s idea and was meant to midwife the forensic audit of the commission, which he had earlier ordered.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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