The Appointment of NNDC Board Members
mo State became a member of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) because of the Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas originally located at the lower Niger Delta region.
The NDDC Commission as constituted by an Act of Parliament in 2000, was meant to fasttrack the development of the Niger Delta region.
Oguta Local Government and Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Areas are the only crude oil producing areas in Imo State.
According to available records on the appointment of board members representing Imo State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the law establishing NDDC gave the Oil Producing Areas the right to produce the representatives.
Hence from 2000 Ohaji/Egbema produced the first member who represented Imo State on the board in the person of Mr.Victor Koga now Dr. Victor Koga. He served from 2000-2004 and completed his full tenure of 4 years. By 2005 Prince Emma Assor still from Ohaji/Egbema was appointed and completed his tenure of 4 years by 2009.
At this juncture, Ohaji/Egbema has enjoyed two full tenures of eight years through their two sons.
By 2009, Mr. Akeru Joseph was appointed from Oguta. His tenure was cut short by 2 years. He stayed 2009-2011. The NDDC board was dissolved due to crisis among the top management members.
By 2011 another son of Oguta was appointed in the person of Barr Peter Akeru Ezeobi to complete the tenure of his brother Akeru Joseph I.
His tenure by this arrangement will end by 2013 which is the original end of Akeru’s tenure of 4 years.
This analysis makes it clear and necessary for Oguta Local Government Area to produce the next member that will represent Imo State in the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from Oguta Local Government Area. I therefore urge the leaders to look for a qualified candidate from Oguta South as a matter of Equity, Justice and Fairness.
Chibuzor Amadi,
Oguta.
