Abe Fingers Amaechi Over Removal Of Nddc’s Executive Director

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has been accused of successfully plotting the removal of the Executive Director, Finance and Accounts (EDFA) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Derek Mene.
 The Senator representing Rivers South East District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe made the accusation in a statement issued in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
 Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had dissolved the board of the NDDC and appointed Prof. Nelson Braimbraifa, as acting Managing Director of the agency.
 But Abe in the statement issued by his spokesman, Parry Benson said he received news of the dissolution of the NDDC board with mixed feelings, alleging that Amaechi had long threatened to remove Mr. Mene from the commission due to his stand on issues in Rivers politics.
 Abe wondered why Mr. Derek Mene was the only executive removed in the dissolution of the board, especially as he was replaced by someone from Rivers East Senatorial District, home district of the Transportation Minister.
 The statement reads, “I received the news of the dissolution of the board of the NDDC with mixed feelings. First, let me thank the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari for the privilege given to the two prominent Rivers sons, Mr. Derek Lenyie Mene who served as Executive Director, Finance and Accounts of the NDDC and Iboroma Harry who served as the Rivers state Commissioner on the board.”
 ”However, it is an open secret that Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi had long threatened to remove Mr. Mene from the commission for his principled stand on issues of injustice and fairness in Rivers politics, particularly as it affects the marginalization of the people of Rivers South East Senatorial District in the leadership of the state.
 ”Coincidentally, the only executive removed in the dissolution of the board is Mr. Derek Mene and his position has now been given to someone from Rivers east senatorial district, home district  of  the Minister and present Governor of the state,” he said.
 The Senator describes Mene’s removal as a further proof pf marginalization of people of the Rivers South East Senatorial district in the leadership of the state, pointing out that no amount of arm twisting will stop him from abandoned the struggle to enthrone equal rights and justice for Rivers people.
 The statement further reads, “l am particularly proud of Mr. Mene, who stood his ground in the face of a vicious campaign of hate, calumny, threat, intimidation and deprivation. Our struggle predates the present board of the NDDC, and will outlive the dissolution of the board,” he said
 Senator Abe however thanked President Buhari, the Minister of Transportation and all leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opportunity given to the two illustrious sons of the state to serve in their various capacity in the NDDC
 ”Let me assure all lovers of justice in APC that the struggle for fairness, equity, justice and respect for our members in the APC, is no way affected by the dissolution of NDDC board.
 He urged party members who are considering to decamp to other political parties to be patient and prayerful as the crises in the party is created by one man who thinks he has power over his fellow men, saying only God has supreme powers.

Dennis Naku