It is with due diligence and quest for transparency that the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance CSGGG, demands urgent clarification and proper investigation on the alleged announcement of New Board Members in the commission.
This is in response to the press release signed by the Permanent Secretary Olusegun A. Adekunle Esq for the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on 27th August 2019, containing the aforementioned subject matter.
CSGGG sees the alleged dissolution of the Acting Management of the NDDC and appointment of a new board for the Commission through the office of the SGF as a misdemeanor hence a need for immediate clarification and proper investigation.
Overtime the appointment of a new board member for the commission is normally done by the President who in turn recommends names of appointees to the National Assembly for confirmatio after which the names are announced on the floor of the Senate and assigned to the relevant committee on Niger Delta Affairs in Conjunction with the House of Reps Committee on NDDC for screening.
It is however very discouraging to note that the Office of the SGF jumped due protocols to announce these alleged appointees at a time when the National Assembly which is encumbered with responsibilities of accepting recommendations and screening is on recess. This action is however termed malicious and therefore very suspicious as it was carried out in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari who is in far away Japan for the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
In lieu of this; CSGGG calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to order an urgent investigation into the impromptu dissolution of the Acting Management and alleged appointment of powerful political cronies as NDDC Board members.
A new position of South West representation has been created as against the act of the NDDC which recognizes a position for OPTS members or representatives.
For all it’s ever worth or going to; CSGGG therefore demands clarification on the following:
- Who can amend the NDDC Act, The office of the SGF or the National Assembly that is currently on recess?
- Who should make announcements of appointees, the SGF or NASS?
Furthermore CSGGG in all entirety condemns the immense pressure currently heaped on the NDDC Acting MD/CEO, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, to handover to the most senior Director of the Commission. It is a great misnomer to direct an Acting Management of the Commission to hand over power even when the screening process hasn’t been completed.
CSGGG on its resolution categorically term the announcement declaring the dissolution and appointment of a new NDDC board, without due diligence from the Presidency and NASS as malicious, suspicious and capable of disrupting peace and creating chaos in the Niger Delta region.
We are very positive and trust that President Muhammadu Buhari will use his good office to see to it that the new Board is constituted through due process.
We advocate for transparency and at this point, we encourage the Acting MD/CEO and others not to bow to pressure or hand over until the President says otherwise upon return.
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