By Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa—The Action Congress in Bayelsa State has hailed President Umaru Yar’Adua and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan over the appointment of the chairman of defunct Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (rtd), an indigene of Sagbama local government area, as the new chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Also, the Ijaw Youth Council, Central zone, yesterday threw its weight behind the choice of Koinyan, describing him as a detribalized Niger Deltan who would bring his wealth of experience to work as the chairman of the Federal Government’s interventionist agency.

The state Action Congress in a statement signed by its secretary, Mr. Ebikibina Miriki, described the choice of Koinyan as a welcome development.

“The choice of Koinyan has not only bridged the outright political marginalization of the Bayelsa West senatorial district with regard to federal appointments, but demonstrated the determination of Mr. President to proceed with his paradigm shift from a complete departure where past nominations to the boards of government parastatals, had always been the exclusive workings of the PDP.

Action Congress commended President Yar’Adua and his vice, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for refusing to bow to pressures from the ruling party and conceding the nomination of the members of the board to governors of Abia, Edo, Imo and Ondo.

as critical and needful for the peace, stability and development of the states, the party called on the people of the state, especially the West senatorial district to rally round the newly appointed chairman of the board.

Meanwhile, the IYC ,central zone, yesterday lauded the appointment of the former DFRRI boss as chairman of the Niger Delta development Commission.

Chairman of the group, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, who spoke to newsmen in Yenagoa, called on Bayelsans to rally round AVM Koinyan (rtd) in ensuring that his tenure brought about the desired development of the region.

He described Koinyan as a tested public officer whose tenure would impact positively on the state and the region, having served in a similar capacity at the defunct DFRRI.