Senate orders screening of Onochie, 14 others for NDDC board

The Senate has referred to its Committee on Niger Delta Affairs for screening and the confirmation of the appointment of Lauretta Onochie as the substantive Chairperson of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission and the other 14 members of the commission’s board.

The resolution followed the presentation of an executive communication by the Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir, during plenary on Tuesday.

Gobir said in the presentation that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had written the Senate in November seeking the confirmation of the 15 nominees.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, referred the nominees to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs for screening

He said, “The committee has one week to carry out further legislative action on the nominees and to report back on Tuesday, December 20.

“This is because we have to finish the confirmation before we close for our Christmas and New Year break.

“And we are going to consider the 2023 budget by Tuesday or, at the latest, Thursday. I know it’s a tall order, but it’s doable. The committee should start working immediately.”