By Rowland Udoh
The decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to instigate reform in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the appointment of an Interim Management Committee (IMC), has been greeted with a cacophony of voices.
The committee is made up of three persons – Dr. Joi Nunieh, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, and Mr. Ibanga Atang – to oversee the period of the forensic audit of the NDDC covering the period 2001 to 2019.
The attacks seem to be more directed at the member of the Federal Executive Council in charge of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON).
It is true that the President had communicated to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with names for confirmation as Executive management and Board members representing the nine constituent states of the NDDC. Having realised the need to prepare the stable so they will be in a position to hit the ground running, the IMC became the utmost while the forensic audit is conducted.
In order that the new board that would be confirmed by the Senate be not encumbered as others in the past were burdened with the huge debt overhang, we believe that the IMC is a welcome development.
It is a fact that Dr. Joi Nunieh is also a nominee board member for the awaited new board for the NDDC, thus institutional memory will be preserved and an incredible asset to the new board.
Dr. Joi Nunieh as a committed Buharist and legal personality who had been with then General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) since 2002 and throughout the 30 months’ legal expedition at the election petition tribunal of 2003-2005. A very dependable ally who would not try to demean the good intentions of Mr. President. A native of Ogoni land and understands first hand the deprivations in the Niger Delta Region.
Her effort is to be complemented by Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a medical graduate from the University of Benin Medical School. Since the mid-1980s, he has in addition to medical practice played politics frontally from his native Agbor in Ika of Delta North Senatorial district. He was in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. While in the House of Representatives, he served as Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream).
He attempted the primaries for the 2007 Governorship in Delta State. He later served in the PDP National Working Committee. Therefore whatever is lacking in Dr. Joi Nunieh will be filled in by Dr. Cairo whose former party PDP, largely controlled the NDDC system. His sojourn with GAS – Governor Ali Sheriff, in the failed PDP factionalisation may have paid off in this appointment.
Last but not least is Mr. Ibanga Etang. A proud son of Akwa Ibom, he is a one-time chairman of Esit Eket local government area and a one-time special assistant on projects to the governor. Based on his exposure to public life, he will definitely add pep to the IMC team. The team is expected to do the spadework for the smooth take-off of the yet inaugurated board.
This online newspaper had warned that whatever the probe (forensic audit) is meant to achieve, it must not disrupt the need for demonstrable evidence of developmental projects. All new projects must be treated with exemplary vigour starting from the 2019/2020 budget cycle.
However, the various stakeholders including the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have shown concerns, but theirs goes to show the failure of assimilation in the party. It will be recalled that many who were peripheral in the defunct legacy parties that metamorphosed into the APC but have suddenly found themselves in leadership positions have brazenly refused to acquaint themselves with the value of history and are preposterous.
Though the IMC appointees are converts of political demagogues from different platforms into the ruling party for the purpose of restructuring NDDC, their ability to harmonise their seemingly veiled interests is key to the success story of the commission.
Change is usually a difficult thing to accept, but the world has benefited immensely from (dissenters) change agents. It has been said, “it is the prerogative of the led to be ungrateful, but the leader at all times must endeavour to be magnanimous.”
