President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to confirm the appointment of the acting Managing Director of the Niger Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, following her numerous achievements since her appointment in acting capacity.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, Executive Director, New Initiative for Credible Leadership (NICL), Rev Stephen Onwu expressed confidence in Semenitari, stating that she has not only proved her competence, but ability to mainstream the NDDC’s mandate with the Change Agenda of the administration of President Buhari.

Onwu said the NDDC has a critical role to play in the development of the oil rich Niger Delta region and that Semenitari has shown that she understands the yearnings of the people of the region and also has the capacity to achieve same.

He however, pointed that recent opposition from certain quarters against the leadership of Semenitari is just a proof that she has plugged all loopholes from where many hitherto siphoned funds meant for projects and many who thought it will be business as usual are now disappointed.

Onwu said, “Just like many people are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari over stringent decisions he has taken to stop massive looting of our common wealth, it’s the same scenario that is playing out at NDDC.”

According to him, the continuing effort to distract the NDDC boss is counterproductive since the pressing issue is how to develop the region and not score settling.

The Executive Director of the civil society group charged that “We found it unthinkable that youths that should be championing national integration are whipping up sectional sentiments simply because they think the position of NDDC MD should be zoned to their clan.

Mrs Semenitari has the support of Nigerians to continue with the change she is implementing at the commission.

“One must commend her efforts to refocus the NDDC for developing the Niger Delta while also exposing the corruption that took place there before she took over.

“This clarity of purpose since her assumption of office is an impetus for Mr. President to confirm her for a substantive appointment.

“This will in no doubt has sent a clear signal to those who think they can hide under pseudo and clandestine platforms to tarnish her good image.

Instead of bickering over non-issues, those who think they have something to offer should join hands with Mrs Ibim Semenitari and the NDDC to speed up the development of the Niger Delta region.”

Rev. Onwu however, asked the Federal Government to similarly disregard would be detractors since it is now clear that they are pursuing narrow interest and not that of the region.