‘Stakeholders weren’t consulted’ – PANDEF condemns scrapping of Niger Delta ministry

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned the decision of the federal executive council (FEC) to scrap the federal ministry of Niger Delta affairs.

On Wednesday, the FEC, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, scrapped the ministry and replaced it with a newly established ministry of regional development, which is expected to oversee all the regional development commissions.

In a communiqué issued after a general assembly of PANDEF, the forum said “critical stakeholders” were not consulted before the decision was taken.

“The assembly notes with serious concern the scrapping of the ministry of Niger Delta which was established to address specific issues bordering on the peculiar circumstances of the Niger Delta, it’s damaged environment and its overall importance to the national economy,” it reads.

“The assembly further condemns that the ministry has been dissolved into a non-existing body without due consideration to those specific circumstances that led to its creation nor consultation with the critical stakeholders.”

The forum said the federal government should engage stakeholders “with a view to addressing several specific concerns, especially at a time when the government is pursuing policies to radically increase oil production”.

The body said the proposed South South Development Commission would “supplement existing federal agencies”.

“However, the name of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NÐDC) should reflect its functions and the actual membership,” PANDEF said.

“On matters specific to the Niger Delta region, the Assembly calls on the State Governments to fully utilise the revenues from the 13 percent derivation to undertake the various critical programmes.”

The forum asked the state governments in the Niger Delta area to embark on massive industrialisation programmes to generate wealth, employment, and skills.

The communique was signed by Alfred Diette-Spiff, co-chair, PANDEF board of trustees; Obong Victor Attah, co-chair; Godknows Igali, national chair; Godwin Okotie, acting national secretary; and Obiuwevbi Ominimini, national spokesperson.