The minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has made a strong appeal to the Governors of the SOUTH-SOUTH region to exercise a little restrain in their quest for the inauguration of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Akpabio who reacted to the demand of the south south Governors forum calling on President Mohammadu BUHARI to inaugurate a new board for the Commission, argued that it was for the best interest of the Niger Delta region to allow the forensic audit team already at work to complete its assignment before a new board comes in.
The Minister who made the plea during a press conference at the NDDC headquarters along Marine base on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State said he was happy with the present interim administration headed by Barr Effiong Akwa whose effect led to the completion of the NDDC building abandoned for about 26 years by previous administrations.
“The composition of a substantive board for the NDDC could be misplaced sometimes. We have to finish the ongoing forensic audit of the Commission first so that when the board comes in, they can start on a clean slate”, he said.
““I want to appeal to the south south Governors to allow the auditors to finish their assignment. If you inaugurate any board now when the exercise is still ongoing, divergent interest may hinder the progress of the exercise. This has always been the problem of the NDDC over the years”.
Senator Akpabio who is in the state for the historic Commissioning of the 13-floor NDDC building by President BUHARI on Thursday, said the completion of the project was an indication that with determination, government can work to achieve so much for Nigerians.
Earlier in his breif remark, the interim administrator of the Commission, Barr Effiong Akwa thanked President BUHARI for his overwhelming support for the completion of the project. He also extended similar appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for providing security during the construction of the edifice.
