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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Senate on Thursday confirmed former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche as the Chairman of the newly established South-South Development Commission (SSDC).
Usoro Offiong Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State was also confirmed as the commission’s Managing Director.
However, Tijani Yahaya Kaura, the nominee representing the North-West, was not cleared due to his failure to submit necessary documents and refusal to appear before the committee for screening.
The committee noted that “the window remains open should he eventually present himself for the process.”
The confirmations followed the presentation of the report by the Senate Committee on the South-South Development Commission, chaired by Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP, Bayelsa Central).
Earlier, the Chairman of the Senate Committee while submitting the report stated that “the Senate do 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).”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had submitted the list of nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation last month. Senate President Godswill Akpabio had read the president’s request during plenary and referred it to the appropriate committee, which was tasked to report back within one week.
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,
For South-West, the confirmed 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).