President Goodluck Jonathan today inaugurated an 11-man advisory committee comprising nine Governors of the Niger- Delta States and two others as members with the mandate of advising the Federal Government, the governing board as well as monitoring the commission’s activities in order to assist in realising its objectives.

The President stated that the inauguration was part of the administration’s holistic measure aimed at strengthening the commission and ensuring that “the entire membership of the board functions with an uncommon sense of duty, responsibility and accountability”.

The President who expressed concern about the lingering managerial challenges in the commission which he stated have hindered the commission from actualising its mandate of bringing the needed development to the region however expressed hope that the members of the advisory committee will bring their wealth of experience to bear in tackling the region’s perculiar challenges.

“As stakeholders in the development of the Niger-Delta, I expect you to bring to bear on the board your wealth of experience and knowledge of thepeculiar challenges in the region”.He stated.

The members are; Governors Godwill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Theodore Orji of Abia, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Liyel Imoke of Cross River. Others are; Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Adams Oshimohle of Edo, Ameachi of Rivers, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Mimikoof Ondo state respectively. Minister of Niger-Delta, Godsday Orubebe and Senator Aniekan Okon are the other members of the committee.