*Writes presidency, says current MD Ogbuku’s tenure expires, turn of Delta to produce next NDDC MD

 

From Watchmann Reporter

The Niger Delta Peoples Assembly, NDPA, at the early hours of yesterday, blocked the major East/West Road, Ughelli, Ughelli North local government area of Delta state, protesting the continuous marginalization of Delta state over the appointment of the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

In a letter by the group’s Coordinator, Comrade Charles Ejor, Co-Coordinator, Comrade Samuel Obada, National Secretary, Comrade Okon Success and others said the protest is to bring to the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the systematic marginalization on the appointment of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

The letter stated that Delta state which is a major oil producing state is being sidelined in the selection process of the next managing director of NDDC in fragrant disregard to the laws of the commission, pointing out that Delta state is major stakeholder in Nigeria’s oil sector, contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and addressing Nigeria’s energy needs.

The letter further drew the attention of President Tinubu to Section 12, Subsection 1 (d) of the NDDC Act which provides thus: “There shall be for the Commission, a Managing Director and two Executive Directors who shall be indigene of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate amongst member states in order of production.”

It said therefore, with the expiration of the tenure of the current Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who hails from Bayelsa state, it is expedient to appoint a Delta state indigene to the office of the managing director of NDDC considering the contributions Delta state has made so far to national growth and development.

The group emphasized that for the spirit of equity and fair play and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration, it humbly pray he uses his good office to wade into the matter and reverse the systematic marginalization and injury Delta state has painfully endured.

The letter reads in parts, “We are here because of the marginalization of the people of Delta State by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). We are here to call the presidency and all stakeholders to listen to our pains and how Delta State has been neglected for the position of the Managing Director of NDDC for so long.

“We are calling on the presidency to attend to us and to let them know that the tenure of this present NDDC administration has expired and it is the turn of Delta State to attain the position of the managing director of NDDC.

“We write to bring to your attention, the systematic marginalization of Delta State regarding the appointment of the MD of NDDC, that Delta State which is the major oil producing state in the region is systematically being sidelined in the selection process for the next Managing Director of NDDC in fragrant disregard of laws setting up the commission.”

“Please be informed your Excellency, that Delta State is the major oil producing state contributing to National domestic product. We respectfully draw your attention to section 12 (sub section 1b) of the NDDC Act which states; ‘that there shall be a Managing Director and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas slating with the member state commission with the highest producing quantum of oil shall rotate amongst members states in order of production.

“Therefore, with the expiration of the tenure of the current Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who hails from Bayelsa State, it is expedient to appoint a Delta state Indigene to the office of the NDDC MD, considering the contribution Delta State has made so far to the nation’s growth.

“In spirit of equity and fair play and the renewed hope agenda of your (President Tinubu) administration, we humbly pray your Excellency, to use your good office to wade into this matter and revert the systematic marginalisation Delta state has painfully endured. Thank you in anticipation of your speed and corporate response.”