Twenty-six months after he assumed office as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nsima Ekere has resigned.
According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Communication, Utibe Ukim, Ekere resigned in order to focus his energies on his electioneering campaign.
Recall that in September 2018, he was nominated the Governorship Candidate and flagbearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.
At the valedictory management meeting held, Ekere thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve the region and thanked the management and staff of the Commission for the support and cooperation extended to him during his tenure.
“There is a time for everything and today is the time for my departure. I urge you to continue with the single-minded commitment to transforming the Niger Delta Region and bringing development to the people and communities across the nine states.
“I am moving on the serve my state and if elected, I will continue to push ahead with the change and transformation agenda of President Muhammed Buhari’s administration”, he said.
Mr. Ekere’s tenure began with the launch of his strategic roadmap, the 4R Strategy for the Commission. Under the programme, his administration focused 70 percent of its budget on completing ongoing projects and initiated several strategic interventions in infrastructure and human development initiatives.
He leaves the Commission to fly the flag of the APC in the March 2, 2019 Governorship election. His resignation comes more than 30 days to that election as stipulated by law.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has already announced Professor Nelson Briambriafa as the Acting Managing Director. Until his appointment, Professor Briambriafa was the Bayelsa State Representative on the NDDC Board which has been dissolved with the resignation of Mr. Ekere.
The President also appointed Mr. Chris Amadi as the Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration and Engr. Dr. Sam Adjogbe as the Acting Executive Director, Projects, the position he held in the now dissolved Board.