Don’t Merge Or Scrap Niger Delta Ministry, PANDEF Tells President Tinubu

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Pan Niger Delta Forum  (PANDEF) has advised the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to restore the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry to avoid adverse environmental consequences in the oil rich region.

PANDEF gave the advice after the emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees (BOT) and National Executive Committee held in Abuja, yesterday.

The meeting according to the communique issued after the parley, were signed by the National Leader, Chief Dr. Edwin Clark and the National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien.

The communique expressed shock that the assignment of portfolios to the new ministers-designate did not include that of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.

The Communique read: “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 geopolitical zone, particularly, the omission of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“The meeting resolves as follows:

“Expresses 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.

“Reminds Mr. President 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.

“That the ministry which 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.

“Therefore, calls on Mr. President to urgently address the omission.

“Cautions that any misguided step toward scrapping or submerging the ministry, will create an unfavourable environment with adverse consequences.

“Further cautions 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.”