The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Niger Delta Affairs yesterday began the screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees for the chairmanship and members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.
The President had, on November 25, written the Senate for the confirmation of his Special Assistant on New Media, Lauretta Onochie from Delta State, for appointment as Chairman of NDDC, as well as 14 other board members of the regional intervention agency.
In what appeared to be a move to give Onochie “soft landing” during the screening, the committee did not allow her to respond to the questions posed to her.
Acting Committee Chairman Bulus Amos representing APC Gombe South told members of the joint committee that all issues surrounding her nomination should be discussed at an executive session.
Onichie had said her vision as NDDC Chairman would be to redefine the true meaning of empowerment for the youth of the region.