*Sacks Effiog Okon as sole administrator
Following the dismissal of Effiong Okon Akwa as the sole administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua as the acting Managing Director of the agency.
Audu-Ohwavborua, being the most senior director in the Commission, will run the affairs of NDDC until a substantive Managing Director and members of the Governing Board are appointed.
His appointment and dismissal of Effiong Okon Akwa was as a result of the conclusion of a forensic audit of the agency.
The appointment and termination were contained in two separate statements issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Patricia Deworitshe.
It wod be recalled that in December 2020, President Buhari removed the then acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Kemebradikumo Pondei, and appointed Akwa to head the agency.
A later statement issued read in parts: “Sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of the disengagement of the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from his position, the President has further approved that the most senior director in the Commission should take over the running of the affairs of the Commission.
“(This is) in line with the Federal Government Circular dated 4th December 2017, with Ref. No. 50/S./C.2/268, pending the appointment of a substantive Managing Director and members of the Governing Board.
“Accordingly, Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua will perform the duties of the Managing Director in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Managing Director and members of the Governing Board.”
Deworitshe’s earlier statement announcing the sacking of Akwa read in parts: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the disengagement of the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Effiong Okon Akwa, from his post with effect from today, 20 October 2022.
“Mr. Akwa was appointed interim administrator of the Commission for the duration of the Forensic Audit into the operations of the NDDC, which has now been concluded.
“President Buhari has also approved the constitution of a new Management Team and Governing Board of the NDDC in line with section 5 (2) of the NDDC Act, 2000.”
It added that “The names of the nominees for the new management team and Governing Board are to be transmitted to the National Assembly for approval.”