PANDEF kicks over ‘scrapping, submerging’ of Niger Delta Ministry

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) yesterday protested the omission of the Niger Delta Ministry from the list of portfolios assigned to appointed ministers recently announced by the Federal Government.

The forum said the omission was capable of creating an unfavorable environment with adverse consequences.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Abuja, the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of PANDEF asked President Bola Tinubu to address omission.

The communiqué was signed by the National Leader of the group, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, and the National Chairman Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien.

National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon Ken Robinson, said the meeting discussed issues pertaining to the ongoing appointment and assignment of ministers, as it affects the Niger Delta region and South-South Geo-Political Zone, particularly, the omission of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

The Forum expressed “great surprise that in the published assignment of ministers to their various cabinet portfolios, there is none designated for the existing Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.”

It said the Ministry of Niger Delta was created, specifically, to “focus on infrastructural development, environmental protection and empowerment of youths in the oil-rich Niger Delta region”, which continues to be greatly impacted by the oil and gas industry and remains the live-wire of the national economy

It, therefore, called on “Mr. President to urgently address the omission,” and cautioned “that any misguided step toward SCRAPPING OR SUBMERGING the Ministry will create an unfavorable environment with adverse consequences.”

The Forum further cautioned the federal government to desist from tampering with any institution(s), which along with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, have been flagship institution(s), to ensure peace and development in the Niger Delta region.

“ We are hopeful that the federal government will be properly advised on this matter, even as we reiterate the commitment of the leadership of PANDEF and the people of the region to enduring the reign of peace and stability in the overall interest of the country.”