– Says Delay Threatens Peace in the Niger Delta, Unfair to the Region
– Calls for Reversion of NDDC to OMPADEC
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently sign the bill establishing the South-South Development Commission (SSDC). The group emphasized that delays in signing the bill could negatively impact the region’s peace and hinder economic development.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini, said the forum issued a strong statement at the end of an emergency meeting held on February 5, calling on the President to act swiftly.
Reading from the communiqué, Ominimini warned that withholding assent to the bill risks creating feelings of exclusion and marginalization among South-South citizens.
According to PANDEF, the bill’s passage would promote comprehensive regional development and complement the work of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The group warned that continued delay could destabilize the peace and conducive environment critical to Nigeria’s oil and gas production.
The forum also urged President Tinubu to restore the NDDC to its previous designation as the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC). PANDEF argued that this change would clarify the commission’s mandate and prevent confusion with the proposed SSDC.
PANDEF demanded that the next chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) should come from the Niger Delta. They noted that many qualified individuals from the region have been overlooked, calling for fairer representation.
The group expressed disappointment over NNPCL’s partnership with private investors to develop new gas complexes outside the Niger Delta, despite the region supplying the gas. PANDEF called for investments in mini-refineries and other gas-related infrastructure within the region.
PANDEF highlighted the neglect of key ports in the region, including Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, and Onne Ports. They called on the Federal Government to revamp these ports and develop new ones in collaboration with South-South state governors to boost Nigeria’s blue economy.
The communiqué concluded with a plea for President Tinubu to act urgently, emphasizing that the bill’s passage would foster inclusivity and national development. PANDEF affirmed its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to address developmental challenges in the region. (Vanguard)