FG Dissolves NDDC Board, Sacks MD

President Goodluck Jonathan, has dissolved the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). In a press statement issued yesterday, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the President also directed the Managing Director, Mr Chibuzor Ugwuoha and other members of the Executive of the Commission to hand over all the commission’s property in their possession to the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Osaro Areyenka with immediate effect.

The statement read as follows: “Following the conclusion of the assignment of the Presidential Committee to look into the problems facing the NDDC and subsequent submission of the report of the Committee, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, after due consideration of the report has approved the dissolution of the Board of NDDC with effect from today, 13th September, 2011”.

A new Board for the Commission would be reconstituted soon. The Managing Director and other Executive members are to hand over all commission’s items in their custody to the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Osaro Areyenka”.

The dissolved board was headed by Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan.

In the past eight months, there had been disagreements between the NDDC Managing Director and the board over management of the N69billion projects being executed by the commission.

Another issue which created a board crisis was the alleged transfer of $20million belonging to the NDDC from the Union Bank in the United Kingdom to First Bank (UK) Plc.

While the MD got approval from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to save the commission from losing its funds to distress in Nigerian banks, the board denied giving any approval.

The disagreement led to the setting up of Oronsaye’s Administrative Panel.

Although there was pressure on the presidency to suspend the Managing Director, the President resisted it based on “the need for fair hearing.”

The Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta expressed concern at developments at the commission.

The National Chairman of TROMPCON, Oba (Dr.) Lawrence Adetemi Omowole III, who is also the Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom, said Oronsaye’s panel was a welcome development.

The traditional ruler said: “It is with joy and relief that TROMPCON received the constitution of an Administrative Panel by President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, to look into the crises in the commission as well as identify areas of rifts with a view to proffering solutions that will enhance institutional potency as well as strengthen the values and virtues of the commission.”

“Above all, by taking a radical departure from the past in which those accused are suspended before enquiries, President Jonathan has by his action, given a clear indication of his readiness to let the public have a better insight and perception of the problems bedeviling the NDDC.

“This attests to a new and commendable presidential direction in the gospel of rule of law and due process.”

Mrs Ibim Semenitari,Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications (left), presenting a cheque to Master Taiwo Amina, a patient of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) while Dr Christie Mato, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee and Mr John Nally, Permanent Secretary in the ministry watch, yesterday.