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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Executive Committee of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has cautioned President Bola Tinubu that it would resist any misguided step toward scrapping or submerging the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, warning that it will create an unfavourable environment with adverse consequences.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of its emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and National Executive Committee, where it expressed great surprise that in the published assignment of Ministers to their various cabinet portfolios, there is none designated for the existing Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
The meeting was chaired by its National Leader, Edwin Clark, which had in attendance the National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Members of the Board of Trustees, as well as National and State Officers.
The communique signed by Clark and Essien, said the meeting discussed issues pertaining to the ongoing appointment and assignment of Ministers, as it affects the states of the Niger Delta region and South-South Geo-Political Zone, particularly, the omission of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
The meeting reminded President Bola Tinubu that the Ministry of Niger Delta was created, specifically, to “focus on infrastructural development, environmental protection and empowerment of youths in the oil-rich Niger Delta region”, which continues to be greatly impacted by the oil and gas industry, and remains the live-wire of the national economy.
It further reminded the President that the Ministry was created by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008, and was sustained under his two immediate predecessors (Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari) to help advance the course of the peace in the Niger Delta region.
The regional body representing the oil rich area therefore called on President Tinubu to urgently address the omission.
It further cautioned the federal government to desist from tampering with any institution(s), which along with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, have been flagship institution(s), to ensure peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
“We are hopeful that the federal government will be properly advised on this matter, even as we reiterate the commitment of the leadership of PANDEF and the people of the region to enduring the reign of peace and stability in the overall interest of country.”
