By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has lauded President Bola Tinubu for some of the positive steps taken so far by his administration.
The Niger Delta’s apex sociocultural organisation, however, demanded more appointments for the region, the removal of Abia, Imo and Ondo states from the states which make up the Niger Delta Development Trust (NDDC).
The demands and observations were contained in a communique issued on Wednesday after an extraordinary meeting held in Abuja by all stakeholders from the Niger Delta region.
The meeting was chaired by the National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, PANDEF’s National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, members of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, national and state officers, as well as former national and state legislators, governors, ministers, and other critical stakeholders.
They included, Hon. Nduese Essien, former Minister of Lands & Housing, Amb. Godknows Igali, Senator Musa Adede, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Dr. Cairo Ojoubgoh, Solomon Asemota SAN, Rt. Hon. Stella Dorgu, Hon. Olivia Agbajoh, Obongawan Grace Ekong, and HRM Suanu T.Y. Baridam.
Others were Hon. Egho Ogene, Hon. Bassey Ekefre, Hon. Bernard Mikko, Prof. Godini Darah, Prof. Uduak Umoh, Prince Okareme Maikpobi, HRH Diepreye Amadein, Chief Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, Chief Barr. Obo Osaro, Hon. Ottos Akuephel, and Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.
The gathering restated its unloyed faith in a “stable, united, and peaceful Nigeria, situated on the fundamental principles of equity, fairness, and justice; through a holistic Restructuring of the country.”
While acknowledging some of the positive steps taken so far by the Tinubu administration, the group insisted that a lot more needed to be urgently done to ease the harsh economic burdens on ordinary Nigerians.
Other demands by the group includes:
1. the appointment of some sons and daughters of the Niger Delta to statutory positions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu;
2. The decry over the fact that the Niger Delta region remains largely under-represented in the appointments made so far, and calls on Mr. President to reverse the trend;
3. That the political class of the South-South Geopolitical Zone, including the Governors, Members of the National Assembly, Ministers, and Heads of MDAs, should work together, irrespective of their political disparities, in the overall interest of the Region;
4. Reminded the Governors of the Niger Delta of the need to resuscitate the activities of BRACED Commission, which has become inactive in the last few years;
5. Salutation of the efforts of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) in stabilising of the Niger Delta region;
6. Expression of satisfaction with the recent appointment of a new Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC by President Tinubu administration;
7. Urged the new Board and Management of the NDDC to adopt comprehensive approaches in their management of these agencies, for better performance, and to fast-track the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta Region;
8. Deplored the current “invasion” of the NDDC, Presidential Amnesty Programme and other Niger Delta-related agencies by government officials and persons from other parts of the country;
9. Re-echoed call for the amendment of relevant sections of the NDDC Establishment Act 2000, to extricate the three non-South South States (Abia, Imo, and Ondo) that were integrated on political grounds, from the Commission;
10. Further condemned the continued gross “annexation” of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, where all top strategic management positions are occupied by persons from the north, while Niger Delta indigenes are marginalized and circumscribed to peripheral standings, in both the management and operations of the industry;
11. Cited the recent humongous Pipeline Maintenance Contracts awarded by NNPC Ltd., to the exclusion of qualified firms from the Niger Delta as a typical example.
12. Called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to guarantee the appointment of someone from any of the six South-South States as the next Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd; that anything short of that would be a great disservice to the Niger Delta people;
13. Given that the Federal Government is developing policies to legalize illegal mining of solid minerals, the Meeting calls on the Federal Government to consider supporting and encouraging artisanal refineries, and stop the unnecessary criminalization, to provide gainful employment to the teeming youths of the region and country.
14. Regretted the poor management of the 3% Host Communities Development Fund under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and calls for its full implementation.
15. Again, raised high alarm over the deplorable state of infrastructure across the entire Niger Delta despite the fact that the region continues to bear the brunt of producing the wealth of the nation;
16. Demanded immediate reconstruction works on several failed sections of the East-West Road; Eleme-Onne, Ahoada- Mbiama-Kaiama, Benin-Sapele-Warri Road, Delta-Bayelsa, Benin-Agbor Road, Calabar-Itu Road, Port Harcourt – Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene-Aba Road, Benin-Auchi road, Calabar Obudu, etcetera.
17. Demanded the extension of the Warri-Itakpe Railway to Abuja, and the expedition of work on the Port Harcourt – Enugu – Maiduguri Rail line, to lessen the transportation difficulties and risks our people are presently facing;
18. Called on President Buhari to work towards the revival of the various ports in the Niger Delta including Port Harcourt, Warri, Onne, Calabar, Koko, and Sapele.
19. Called on President Tinubu and the National Assembly to revisit the 2014 National Conference Report, which provides a good working document for a new Nigeria, founded on equity, justice and fair play.
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