Buhari Approves N6 bn For Niger Delta, Extends NDDC Board’s Tenure

By Fola James

President Muhammdu Buhari has extended the tenure of the NDDC management led by Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei by eight months.

The federal government has also approved for the commission N6.25 as intervention support fund to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the nine states that make up the commission.

The interim board of the commission was appointed in February by the president after it sacked  Barrister Joy Nunieh as the managing director.

The materials and supplies are to be done through Emergency Procurement method as provided in Sections 42(b) (c) and 43 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the federal government said.

A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity in Abuja on Thursday, explained that the extension is to cover the period of the forensic audit of the NDDC earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council.

Apart from Professor Pondei, who is the Ag. managing director  others are Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Ag. Executive Director (Projects); Ibanga Bassey Etang, Ag. Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Caroline Nagbo (Member); and Cecilia Bukola Akintomide, OON, a former Vice President with African Development Bank, (Member).

They are to oversee the full audit of the corruption riddled commission, the president’s spokesman said.

According to him, “Prof K.D Pondei, the new Ag. Managing Director, is a Professor of Medicine at the Niger Delta University, and former Provost, College of Health Sciences of the institution. President Buhari had earlier approved that the Interim Management Committee would be in place till the forensic audit of the NDDC was concluded.”