The Senate has confirmed the nomination of a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, as the chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) board.
The upper legislative house equally confirmed Usoro Akpabio from Akwa Ibom as the managing director, in addition to 16 others as the commission’s board members.
Their confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the committee on SSDC at the plenary in Abuja. The chairman of the committee, Kenbowei Friday, presented the report.
Sixteen others, including Larry Odey (Cross River), Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa), Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Chika Chinedu (Rivers), Femi Oise (Edo), and Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate (Delta), were confirmed.
Others were Tabitha Iliya Sallah (North-East), Yusuf Rasaq Amao (North-Central), Joseph Mammal (South-East), and Bukonola Braimoh (South-West).
The Senate also confirmed the following for the position of executive directors: Marcus Nie Eji, Projects (Rivers), Aganaba Preye Steven, Social and Human Capital Development (Bayelsa), Timi Alari Ayibatonye, Corporate Services (Delta), Joseph Ugheoke, Commercial and Environmental Development (Edo), and Sony Abang, Finance (Cross River).
Earlier in his presentation, Mr Friday said the nominees had the sound academic qualifications, work experience, competencies, and integrity required for appointment as chairman, managing director, and members of the SSDC board.
According to him, there were no adverse security reports or petitions before the committee regarding the nomination of the nominees.
He said the nominees have a sound understanding of the commission’s mandate and satisfactorily answered the questions posed to them.
The senator, however, said one of the nominees, Tijani Laura, nominated to represent North-West as a board member, was not presented for confirmation by the Senate.
He added that the nominee didn’t present his documents for vetting and did not appear in person before the committee for screening.
Mr Friday said the Senate would, however, give the nominee a chance to present himself before the committee for screening.
