The Pan Niger Delta Forum ( PANDEF )has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign into an Act the bill for the South-South Commission with the same speed he signed others.
This call was made in a Press conference in Abuja yesterday .
The Press Conference which was held in the PANDEF office in Abuja , had a statement authored by the Chairman Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali and read by the Spokesman, Dr. Ominimini .
It stated in parts that “The bills after passage by the National Assembly Assembly was submitted at the same time as other geo-political zone’s Commissions bill tickets to the President, but ours is yet to be assented to. “We subscribe to the desirability of having a development commission for all the six geo-political zones of the country without exception. “And therefore views the withholding as a grave oversight or error capable of creating a feeling of exclusion and dejection on the part of the people of the South-South………”.
The Socio Cultural group of the Niger Delta also “recommended that the name Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which could become a misnomer , should revert to it’s earlier designation as Oil Mineral Production Area Development Commission ( OMPADEC). This will distinguish it and prevent any confusion between it and the newly created South South Development Commission.
PANDEF , restated that the assent of Mr President to South South Development Commission bill will promote broader regional development in the area and complement the work of NDDC ( OMPADEC) especially under the present capable board and manageming director Dr Samuel OGBUKU.
PANDEF also asked Mr President to redress the situation where NNPC is building 5 mini LNG , CNG and LPG in KOGI State without any in the Niger Delta where the Gas is domiciled . This they say most be corrected fast so the people of the Niger Delta would not be excluded from their own God given natural resources .
They also urged Mr President to appoint sons and daughters of the South South into top positions in the NNPC .
PANDEF observes with great concerns the fact that despite the emphasis of the present administration on the development of marine and blue economy including the decision to construct new dry inland ports all similar infrastructures in the south south have been abandoned from Cross Rivers to Delta State .
PANDEF calls on the Federal govt to revisit the matter
On its part PANDEF will commence along with other critical stakeholders a deep sturdy for low performance of existing ports in the Niger Delta
PANDEF calls on the people of the Niger Delta especially our youths to continue to maintain law and order in order to give the leaders of the region the opportunity to sustain active engagement with the Federal government on these and other matters of interest .
PANDEF appreciates Mr President for the establishment of the federal university of Environmental Technology in Ogoni ; as a major regional body PANDEF remains dedicated to promoting the interest of the Niger Delta people restates it’s commitment to active engagement with the Federal government and other critical stakeholders to resolve various lingering issues following all constitutional means.
Hon Sam Atasia Oburu
Media Consultant to PANDEF
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