The lawmaker representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Donald Ojogo, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider the contents and spirit of the NDDC Act when constituting the next governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Ojogo said an indigene of his constituency should be appointed the next Managing Director of the regional intervention agency.
The immediate-past Ondo State Information Commissioner, in a letter addressed to the President, said Ondo State is favoured to produce the NDDC MD, according the Section 12(1) of the Act.
Ojogo noted that the appointment of an MD from the state would erase what he called the warped perception that the Southwest does not have a right to the position of the MD except the Southsouth that has continually appropriated the slot.
“The Southwest, whose representation providence has naturally placed on Ondo State, is the fifth in the production quota. Ondo State, therefore, ought to have been considered for the position of MD, even in the last governing board of the NDDC that has just been dissolved.
“In considering appointments into other positions, such as Executive Director(s) and state representative on the NDDC’s governing board, only indigenes of the oil-producing area should be appointed.
“The appointment of the last Executive Director (Projects) of the NDDC, Mr. Ogunmola, an indigene of Owo Local Government Area from Ondo North Senatorial District, was in flagrant breach of the NDDC Act, 2000, even as amended.
“It was more curious that the Ninth Senate under Senator Ahmad Lawan, GCON, cleared Ogunmola, despite the written protestations of Senators Robert Ajayi Boroffice (North), Ayo Akinyelure (Central) and Nicholas Tofowomo (South) to that effect.
“Therefore, the behind-the-scene manoeuvring, manipulations and disinformation on the part of the now dissolved governing board of the NDDC, especially the immediate-past Managing Director and the two executive directors to perpetuate themselves, should be disregarded and outright rejected.
“It is clear that there has been a plot to shut out Ondo State, despite its fifth position in the ladder of crude production output. But we are encouraged by Mr. President’s democratic posture that is unambiguous…”
“Therefore, a timely intervention to stem a further descent into abysmal lawlessness in the constitution of the next NDDC board cum management is most desirable. My position is strengthened more by Mr. President’s understanding of the Rule of Law than the mere fact that he hails from the Southwest.”