NDDC MD dismisses reports of tenure expiration

Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says members of the commission’s Governing Board are currently serving a four-year term.

This he said was contrary to insinuation in some quarters that their term would end in 2024.

Ogbuku made the clarification on Wednesday in Port Harcourt at a news conference.

NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu had on Aug. 29, 2023 approved the appointment of a new Board and Executive Management for the Commission.

Tinubu named Mr Chiedu Ebie as Chairman and Ogbuku as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) .

Although, the current Board was appointed on Aug. 29, 2023, the MD/CEO had been on the saddle at the Commission’s headquarters since JAN. 5, 2023, as a member of the previous board.

According to Ogbuku, his tenure will not end in 2024 as is being rumoured, citing Section 4 of the NDDC Establishment Act.

“The provision states that a member of the board other than ex-officio member, shall hold office for a term of four years at the first instance.

“It continued that ‘the board member may be reappointed for a further term of four years and no more, ” Obguku cited the NDDC Act.

He decried those advocating the board’s tenure to be shortened, suggesting they opposed the board’s harmonious collaborative efforts towards fulfilling Tinubu’s mandate to the region.

“In spite of our commitment to quality projects and programmes, individuals with selfish motives are attempting to revert the NDDC to a time of instability and under performance.

“The NDDC Board and management will not be distracted from holding fast to its mantra of transiting from transaction to transformation.

“Those seeking a change of baton at NDDC should hold their horses, as President Tinubu reappointed me for another four years,” he said.

Ogbuku said that the board was awaiting passage of the NDDC 2024 budget to advance legacy projects in the Niger Delta, aimed at raising N1 trillion from development and commercial banks for the projects.

He listed the legacy projects to include regional roads, bridges, electrification projects, school buildings, hospitals, shore reclamation and protection, among others.

In healthcare, the managing director highlighted the recent free medical outreach programmes targeting rural communities and announced the acquisition of 13 ambulances for regional hospitals to address cholera outbreaks.

“The Commission is also looking to acquire more ambulances and cholera vaccines to further prevent spread.

“In education, we have awarded foreign scholarships to 2,323 students in the region and released funds to beneficiaries for the 2024/2025 scholarship programme.”

Ogbuku emphasised that the era of lacking data on projects and programmes was over, as the board had implemented strategies to showcase its activities.