The House of Representatives has directed Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to withdraw the three-man interim team he appointed to manage affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
This followed a motion by Nicholas Osai on Wednesday, in which he accused Akpabio of hurriedly and curiously putting the interim team in place, leaving the action to public suspicion.
However, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, has directed the committee on Niger Delta affairs to investigate allegations put forward before the House by Osai, and report its findings back immediately.
According to Osai, “shortly after the appointment of the three-man interim committee, the Senate confirmed the 15 NDDC board members sent to it by Mr. President in fulfillment of the NDDC Act”, adding that “the speed and curiosity with which the minister of Niger Delta Affairs hurriedly set up a three-man interim management committee is stunning and suspicious”.
He further argued that by practice in the Commission, any existing vacancy in the office of the Managing Director is usually filled by the highest director in the order of seniority and ranking, noting that with Senate’s confirmation of the board, the appointment of the interim management board became “vitiated, null and void and of no legal effect”.
He therefore prayed the House, to in conjunction with the Senate, discontinue the 2020 budget process of the NDDC until the Minister complies with the directive to withdraw the interim management team.
