…Calls on President Tinubu to Reverse trend of Poor representation of Niger Deltans in his Cabinet
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on all Niger Delta politicians to work together irrespective of their various political affiliations within the Nigerian polity to bring about progress for the region.
This call was made in a jointly signed press statement by PANDEF National Leader, Chief E. K. Clark and PANDEF National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien after an extraordinary meeting of leaders of the Niger Delta region under the umbrella of PANDEF held in Abuja, FCT, on Wednesday, 25th of Octobet, 2023.
In the statement, PANDEF restated its 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, PANDEF called on President Tinubu to do a lot more urgently, to ease the harsh economic burdens on ordinary citizens of the country.
PANDEF said it notes the appointment of some sons and daughters of the Niger Delta to statutory positions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but however decries 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.
Subseqiently, PANDEF enjoined the political class of the South-South Geopolitical Zone, including the Governors, Members of the National Assembly, Ministers, and Heads of MDAs, to work together, irrespective of their political disparities, in the overall interest of the Niger Delta Region.
PANDEF as well implored the Governors of the Niger Delta region to resuscitate the activities of BRACED Commission, (comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States), which has become inactive in the last few years. It commended the efforts of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) in stabilising the Niger Delta region.
While expressing its satisfaction with the recent appointment of a new Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC by President Tinubu’s administration, PANDEF 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.
Arising from the above, PANDEF condemned 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.
PANDEF therefore re-echoed the 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.
With regards to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), PAMDEF 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. It also 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.
PANDEF thetefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint 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.
On the state of infrastructural development in the region, PANDEF 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.
Base on the poor state of infrastructure development, PANDEF said it demands immediate reconstruction works on several failed sections of the East-West Road; Eleme-Onne, Ahoada- Mbiama-Kaiama, Benin-Sapale-Warri Road, Delta-Bayelsa, Benin-Agbor Road, Calabar-Itu Road, Port Harcourt – Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene-Aba Road, Benin-Auchi road, Calabar Obudu, etcetera.
Also PANDEF said, given that the Federal Government is developing policies to legalize illegal mining of solid minerals, the Federal Government should consider supporting and encouraging artisanal refineries, and stop the unnecessary criminalization, to provide gainful employment for the teeming youths of the region and country.
PANDEF demanded from President Tinubu, 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.
The meeting which was chaired by the National Leader, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, OFR, CON, had in attendance the PANDEF National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, 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, including, Hon. Nduese Essien, former Minister of Lands & Housing, Amb. Dr. Godknows Igali, Senator Musa Adede, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Rt. Hon. Dr. Cairo Ojoubgoh, Solomon Asemota SAN, Rt. Hon. Stella Dorgu, Hon. Olivia Agbajoh, Obongawan Grace Ekong, HRM King Dr. Suanu T.Y. Baridam JP, Hon. Egho Ogene, Hon. Bassey Ekefre, Hon. Bernard Mikko, Prof. G. G. Darah, Prof. Uduak Umoh, Prince Okareme Maikpobi, HRH Diepreye Amadein, Chief Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, Chief Barr. Obo Osaro, Hon. Ottos Akuephel, Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.
Below is a full text of the press statement:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF LEADERS OF
THE NIGER DELTA REGION UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PAN NIGER DELTA FORUM (PANDEF), HELD IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA, ON WEDNESDAY, 25TH OCTOBER, 2023.
An extraordinary meeting of Leaders and Critical Stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region under the auspices of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, was held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Wednesday, 25th October, 2023.
2. The meeting was chaired by the National Leader, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, OFR, CON, and in attendance were the PANDEF National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, 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, including, Hon. Nduese Essien, former Minister of Lands & Housing, Amb. Dr. Godknows Igali, Senator Musa Adede, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Rt. Hon. Dr. Cairo Ojoubgoh, Solomon Asemota SAN, Rt. Hon. Stella Dorgu, Hon. Olivia Agbajoh, Obongawan Grace Ekong, HRM King Dr. Suanu T.Y. Baridam JP, Hon. Egho Ogene, Hon. Bassey Ekefre, Hon. Bernard Mikko, Prof. G. G. Darah, Prof. Uduak Umoh, Prince Okareme Maikpobi, HRH Diepreye Amadein, Chief Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, Chief Barr. Obo Osaro, Hon. Ottos Akuephel, Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.
3. The meeting extensively deliberated on the State of the Nation, Socio-Political issues concerning the Niger Delta region, and other related matters.
4. Rising therefrom, the meeting resolved as follows:
ON THE STATE OF THE NATION
i. The meeting restates its 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;
ii. Acknowledges some of the positive steps that have been taken by the Tinubu administration, but insists that a lot more needs to be done, urgently, to ease the harsh economic burdens on ordinary citizens of the country;
iii. Notes the appointment of some sons and daughters of the Niger Delta to statutory positions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu;
iv. However, decries 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;
v. Implores the political class of the South-South Geopolitical Zone, including the Governors, Members of the National Assembly, Ministers, and Heads of MDAs, to work together, irrespective of their political disparities, in the overall interest of the Region;
Reminds 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;
vi. Salutes the efforts of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) in stabilising of the Niger Delta region;
vii. Expresses satisfaction with the recent appointment of a new Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC by President Tinubu administration;
viii. Urges 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;
ix. Deplores 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;
x. Re-echoes 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;
xi. Further condemns 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;
xii. Cites the recent humongous Pipeline Maintenance Contracts awarded by NNPC Ltd., to the exclusion of qualified firms from the Niger Delta as a typical example.
xiii. Calls 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;
xiv. 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.
xv. Regrets the poor management of the 3% Host Communities Development Fund under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and calls for its full implementation.
ON STATE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE REGION
i. Again, raises 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;
ii. Demands immediate reconstruction works on several failed sections of the East-West Road; Eleme-Onne, Ahoada- Mbiama-Kaiama, Benin-Sapale-Warri Road, Delta-Bayelsa, Benin-Agbor Road, Calabar-Itu Road, Port Harcourt – Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene-Aba Road, Benin-Auchi road, Calabar Obudu, etcetera.
iii. Demands 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;
iv. Calls on Mr. President to work towards the revival of the various ports in the Niger Delta including Port Harcourt, Warri, Onne, Calabar, Koko, and Sapele.
6. Once more calls on President Bola Ahmed 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.
7. The meeting expressed appreciation to its National Leader, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark for his continued guidance and congratulates him on the momentous success of the launch of his autobiography, “Brutally Frank”, in Abuja on 17thAugust 2023.
8. Issued and Adopted at the end of the extraordinary Meeting in Abuja, this 25th Day of October 2023.
Signed:
Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, OFR, CON
National Leader
Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE
National Chairman
