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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has described the deteriorating road network in the Niger Delta as a national emergency, urging the Federal Government to give greater attention to infrastructure and environmental remediation in the region.
In a statement by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, the forum called for urgent attention to the consequences of decades of oil pollution and gas flaring.
“We take the opportunity to remind the Federal Government to continue to pay greater attention to the state of infrastructure in the Niger Delta, especially the road network which has reached a proportion of national emergency.
“Equally, the question of environmental remediation which the area has had to bear for 70 years of oil pollution and gas flaring needs to be placed on the front burner,” Igali said.
PANDEF also urged Nigerians to intensify prayers for the country’s peace and progress, stressing the need for divine intervention in national affairs.
“We use the opportunity to call on all Nigerians to pray assiduously for the continued peace and progress of Nigeria,” Igali said, citing the biblical admonition in Psalm 127:1 that “unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.”
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The forum felicitated President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government and Nigerians on the anniversary, while commending South-South governors, other political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youths for their contributions to peace and development.
It said the region had continued to make progress in infrastructure, human welfare and social development despite its difficult environmental conditions.
“PANDEF furthermore salutes with pride, that despite its daunting environmental challenges, as most parts of the six states are water logged, the South-South led by our Governors continue to play sterling roles in infrastructural development as well investment in human welfare and social development.”
The forum also acknowledged the contributions of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Basin Development Authority and Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
“PANDEF also appreciates the developmental efforts contributed by intervention agencies in the area such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, and the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP),” it said.
The forum wished Nigerians peaceful celebrations and prayed for the country’s continued peace and progress.
