NDDC Ag. MD: Nunieh Out, Pondei In as Buhari Enlarges Interim Board To Five

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the appointment of Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei as the new acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Professor Pondei will be replacing the erstwhile Ag. MD Barrister Joi Nunieh whose leadership of the Interim Board had be rocked with protest.

The change of guard for the commission in charge of the oil bearing region of the country, was contained in a statement, Wednesday, February 19, by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

The statement also revealed that President Buhari approved the enlargement of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Commission from three to five.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the enlargement of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from three to five.

“The five members of the committee are now: Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, who is the Ag. Managing Director, replacing Barrister Joy Nunieh; Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Ag. Executive Director (Projects); Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang, Ag. Executive Director (Finance and Administration); Mrs Caroline Nagbo (Member); and Cecilia Bukola Akintomide, OON, a former Vice President with African Development Bank, (Member).

“Prof K.D Pondei, the new Ag. Managing Director, is a Professor of Medicine at the Niger Delta University, and former Provost, College of Health Sciences of the institution.

“President Buhari had earlier approved that the Interim Management Committee would be in place till the forensic audit of the NDDC was concluded.”

The removal of Joi Nunieh may not be unconnected to claims by some quarters questioning the authenticity of her NYSC Certificate. A report which was also published by this medium.