A few days ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sent names of nominees into the board of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) to the national assembly for the constitutional responsibility of screening and confirming the nominees.
In my opinion, the nominees are men and women who will deliver on their mandate in making sure that the much needed development of the oil rich South South region of our country is archived.
I wish to congratulate Cross Riverians and in particular, the governor of the state for his powerful lobbying ability which for the first time in the history of such Regional Block saw the emergence of a Cross Riverian as a Director of Finance.
In 1992, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) was established by then military government through Decree No, 23 for the twin purpose of rehabilitating and developing the Oil Mineral Producing Areas of Nigeria which had been subjected to the devastating effects of ecological destruction and environmental pollution.
In the year 2000 after the return of democracy and about eight years after the creation of OMPADEC, the National Assembly amended the law and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was birthed.
For more than a decade, no Cross Riverian emerged as either director of Project or Finance, which are the two most powerful positions apart from the Managing Director.
The Act establishing the Commission, clearly ensures that the chairmanship position must rotate around member states of the commission.
The appointment of the Managing Director and other executive positions are usually about the states that contributes the most in terms of mineral deposits as well as those with heavy lobbying power which successive governments in Cross River State gravely lacked.
Apart from Hon. Bassey Ekefre who served as Director Projects in OMPADEC in the late 90s, no Cross Riverian till date has had the privilege of occupying such a position.
But today, the story is different. Governor Bassey Edet Otu has been able to wage the regional battle, insisting that Cross River must be respected and regarded as a big brother in the region.
For those shouting about missing out on the position of Chairman, please understand that the position rotates amongst all the state that makes up such commission and in the case of the South South Development Commission, the position of Chairman which many times is often ceremonial will rotate alphabetically and it will get to Cross River.
Interestingly, the Act establishing the current South South Development Commission also mandates the position of the Managing Director to be rotational alphabetically with Akwa Ibom State taking the first turn which will be followed by Bayelsa before Cross River and then other states .
For now, the important thing is that through the heavy lobbying power of Governor Bassey Otu, Cross River has been recognized, with the emergence of Amb. Soni Abang as Director of Finance and a Rt. Honestly. Larry Odey as a state representative.
This feet was achieved despite the loose talk of the state being the least in terms of economic contribution in the region,
Congratulations to Governor Bassey Edet Otu!
Congratulations to Cross Riverians!
Let’s continue to Think Cross River.
Edem Darlington is the current Deputy Chief press secretary to the Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River state.