The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, confirmed the appointment of a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, as Chairman of the newly constituted South-South Development Commission.

Usoro Offiong Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State was also confirmed as the Managing Director of the Commission, alongside 13 other board members and five executive directors.

However, controversy trailed the confirmation process as the nominee representing the North-West, Tijani Kaura, was dropped after he failed to submit essential documentation and refused to appear before the Senate screening committee.

The committee, while presenting its report, noted that the window remains open for Kaura should he decide to present himself for screening in the future.

The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on South-South Development Commission, chaired by Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP, Bayelsa Central).

While laying the report before the Senate, Konbowei disclosed that the “Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on South-South Development Commission on the confirmation of the nomination for appointment as Chairman, Managing Director, and Members of the Board of the South-South Development Commission.”

The list of confirmed board members includes Larry Odey (Cross River), Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa), Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Chika Chinedu (Rivers), Femi Oise (Edo) and Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate (Delta).

Others are Tabitha Iliya Sallah (North-East), Yusuf Rasaq Amao (North-Central), Joseph Mmamal (South-East) and Bukonola Braimoh (South-West).

The Senate also cleared the following individuals for the position of executive directors: Marcus Nie Eji – Projects (Rivers), Aganaba Preye Steven – Social and Human Capital Development (Bayelsa), Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye – Corporate Services (Delta), Joseph Ugheoke – Commercial and Environmental Development (Edo) and Sony Abang – Finance (Cross River).

PUNCH Online reported that President Bola Tinubu submitted the list of nominees to the Senate last month for screening and confirmation.

The request was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary and promptly referred to the Committee on South-South Development Commission with a directive to report back within one week.

The SSDC is expected to spearhead developmental initiatives in the South-South region, addressing longstanding infrastructural and socio-economic challenges across oil-producing states and their host communities.