Minor Fire Outbreak Disrupts NDDC Screening At Senate Hearing Room

A brief fire outbreak on Wednesday disrupted proceedings at the Senate wing of the National Assembly during the screening of Dr. Zainab Marwa for appointment to the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The incident occurred at Senate Hearing Room 107 shortly after the Senate Committee on NDDC concluded the screening exercise for Marwa, who was nominated to represent the North-East geopolitical zone on the commission’s board.

Witnesses said smoke suddenly began to emanate from the kitchen section of the hearing room, causing concern among lawmakers, aides and other participants present at the venue.

The situation was swiftly brought under control through the intervention of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), alongside Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central), who helped contain the fire before it spread further.

Preliminary indications suggested that the incident may have been caused by a microwave left on in the kitchen area.

No casualties or significant damage were recorded, and the situation was quickly stabilised.

The disruption occurred during proceedings linked to the consideration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for the confirmation of Dr. Marwa as a member of the NDDC Governing Board.

Earlier, the Senate had received a letter from President Tinubu seeking Marwa’s confirmation as the North-East representative on the intervention agency’s board.

The request was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who said the nomination was made in line with Section 2 of the NDDC Establishment Act.

According to the President, the appointment is to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former board member, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, who stepped down on March 30, 2026, to pursue his governorship ambition in Adamawa State.

The Senate Committee on NDDC is expected to submit its report within one to two weeks for further legislative consideration.

Despite the brief scare, legislative activities continued without further disruption.