Tenure elongation at NCDMB

On April 22, 2010 history was made when former President Jonathan signed the Nigerian Content Act into Law. By that singular effort, over 50 years of capital flight of some $380 billion, about 2 million job losses, amongst others, was addressed. We have however observed that the tenure of the current Executive Secretary of the […]

On April 22, 2010 history was made when former President Jonathan signed the Nigerian Content Act into Law. By that singular effort, over 50 years of capital flight of some $380 billion, about 2 million job losses, amongst others, was addressed.

We have however observed that the tenure of the current Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Simbi Wabote is winding to an end.

Following this observation, we hereby recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation’s substantive minister of petroleum resources, not to renew the appointment of the executive secretary for another four-year tenure.

Our reasons for the recommendation are in accordance with Section 77(e) of the extant Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content and Development Act, 2010.

Specifically, we note with regret the outgoing executive secretary’s penchant for dabbling into politics and thereby undermining critical stakeholders of the Niger Delta region in the exercise of his duties.

We were key players in the moves, which led to the establishment of the NCDMB and particularly, the tough decision to cite the headquarters at Yenagoa in Bayelsa State. Former Executive Secretaries of the Board including Denzel Amagbe Kentebe duly recognised MEND for the group’s enervating effort at birthing the NCDMB. However, under Engr. Simbi Wabote, MEND leaders, including Henry and Charles Okah have been completely undermined.

But by far the worst victim of Engr. Wabote’s official indiscretion is former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; the man who personally signed the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content and Development Act into Law and gave approval for the citing of the NCDMB headquarters at Yenagoa.

Jomo Gbomo, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).