President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua as replacement for Effiong Akwa, who has just been sacked as the interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), reports Political Economist NG.

Until his appointment, Audu-Ohwavborua, an engineer was a director in the Delta State office of the NDDC.

He will run the NDDC  pending the setting up of a new management team and a governing board, according to a letter, dated 20 October, from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana. The Ministry supervises the NDDC.

According to the letter seen by Political Economist NG, Mr Audu-Ohwavborua is the most senior director in the NDDC. The letter reads:

“President Buhari has approved that the most senior director in the commission should take over and perform the duties of the managing director in acting capacity in line with the provision of the extant Federal Government Circular Ref No. SGF.50/S. II/C.2/268,” the letter stated.

“Accordingly, you are by this letter directed to take up and perform the duties of the Managing Director pending the appointment of a substantive managing director and members of the Governing Board of the Commission,” it added.

Mr Akwa, from Akwa Ibom State, and appointed by former Niger Delta minister, Godswill Akpabio, was sacked earlier on Thursday by the President.

He was appointed interim administrator for the NDDC in December, 2020.

A statement from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs said Mr Akwa was appointed interim administrator for the duration of the forensic audit into the operations of the commission and that the audit has 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.

“The names of the nominees for the new management team and Governing Board are to be transmitted to the National Assembly for approval,” the statement said.