Akpabio named MD,15 others confirmed
The Senate has confirmed former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, as Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).
The apex legislative Assembly also confirmed Usoro Offiong Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State, as the Managing Director of the Commission.
Meanwhile, Tijani Yahaya Kaura, the nominee representing the North-West on the Commission, was not cleared after he failed to submit necessary documents and refusing to appear before the screening Committee.
The Committee in its report which was presented on the floor of the Senate during plenary, noted that the window remained open to Kaura, in case he eventually presents himself for the screening process.
The Senate also confirmed the following nominees as members of the SSDC board: Rt. Hon. Larry Odey– Member, Cross River, Charles Zuofa – Member, Bayelsa, Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong – Member, Akwa Ibom, Engr. Chika Chinedu – Member, Rivers, Barr. Femi Oise – Member, Edo, Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate – Member, Delta, Tabitha Iliya Sallah – Member, North-East, Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao – Member, North-Central, Joseph Mmamal – Member, South-East, Hon. Bukonola Braimoh – Member, South-West.
Those who were confirmed as executive directors include: Hon. Marcus Nie Eji – Executive Director, Projects (Rivers), Engr. Aganaba Preye Steven – Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development (Bayelsa), Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye – Executive Director, Corporate Services (Delta), Hon. Joseph Ugheoke – Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development (Edo), Amb. Sony Abang – Executive Director, Finance (Cross River).
The confirmations were made by the Upper Chamber following the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on South-South Development Commission, chaired by Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP, Bayelsa Central).
While making the presentation, Senator Konbowei urged the Senate to receive and consider the report of the Committee on South-South Development Commission on the confirmation of the nomination for appointment as Chairman, Managing Director, and Members of the Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).”
It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had, in the month of May, submitted the list of nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read the president’s request during plenary and referred it to the appropriate committee, which was tasked to report back within one week.
