Shortly after hosting a successful economic summit of the South-South states, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has emerged the new Chairman Forum of governors of member states of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The governor who spoke shortly after his emergence at Government House, Port Harcourt said he would direct his energy at making the commission to complete its ongoing projects in the region.

Earlier, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State who spoke to newsmen at the end of a meeting of governors of the nine-member states of the commission where his counterpart Governor Uduaghan emerged Chairman of Forum of governors of the NDDC said the commission would give priority attention to completion of ongoing projects. He said the Forum of Governors would play advisory role to the commission as directed by the President.

According to Amaechi, the commission would also focus on projects that would strengthen the unity of the member states. Governors at the meeting were: Theodore Orji of Abia; Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo; Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Imo state; Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State. Managing Director of the Commission, Dr Chris Oboh and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Tarilah Tebepah were also at the meeting.

The choice of Uduaghan is seen by many as strategic at this time of re-positioning the NDDC. Although the Forum’s role is advisory, analysts see Uduaghan as the perfect choice given his long history of holding political offices in the region. He was a commissioner in Delta State for about four years and Secretary to Government, SSG, for another four years before he was voted governor of the state. He is also widely regarded as the forerunner of the Amnesty programme for the youths of the region