A socio-political group, the Niger Delta Development Ambassadors (NDDA) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the nomination of former OSOPADEC Chairman, Gbenga Edema, as the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The group made the appeal in an open letter to Mr Buhari. The group’s letter was signed by Mr Awipi Lawson (Delta State), Chairman and Ekpobomini Loko (Ondo State), Secretary.
The group posited that since Mr Edema had been screened and confirmed by the senate, with respect to the NDDC, it expected the President to do the needful, in the best interest of the people in the Niger Delta.
The letter is reproduced below:
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF BAR OLUGBENGA EDEMA BY THE GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, ARAKURIN OLUWAROTIMI AKEREDOLU, SAN AS MANAGING DIRECTOR(MD) OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION(NDDC)
Greetings to Mr President.
We write as a pro-Niger Delta Development Organisation on the above Subject matter.
Sir, the expectation of all Niger Delta patriots is to see an NDDC that is functional and efficient in the delivery of sustainable and all-inclusive development to the region. This can only be achieved with a capable, experienced, clear-headed, visionary and prudent resource MANAGER. Such a ‘trustee’ of the people must have an impeccable character, unblemished antecedents and verifiable records and credentials.
It is on account of the above persuasion, that the Governor of Ondo State, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has singled out and recommended one of the best hands in the region, Barrister ‘Gbenga Edema, for your kind consideration as the MD of NDDC.
Sir, as stakeholders with uncommon passion for the development of the Niger Delta, we find this recommendation quite spirit- lifting and most appropriate. We, therefore, affirm our unflinching support for Bar ‘Gbenga Edema and implore Mr President to kindly consider him for the job.
Section 12 (1) of the NDDC Act 200) provides that, ‘There shall be for the Commission a Managing Director and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil-producing states starting with member states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate among member states in order of production.’
As would be expected, Barr Edema hails from Ogogoro, an oil-producing community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. Between 2017 to 2021, he served as Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC. He was also a Member of the Ondo State House of Assembly among others.
Interestingly, in accordance with the NDDC Act, Mr President nominated Edema and had since been screened and confirmed by the senate with respect to the NDDC.
On the whole, it will be a breath of fresh air for the people of the Niger Delta to have a tested and trusted servant of the people like Barr ‘Gbenga Edema to pilot the affairs of the Commission. This, he will do in the most meritorious way for the good of the people of the region.
Thank you for the much anticipated consideration, Mr President.
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