The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately address the omission of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry from his list of ministerial portfolios, warning that scrapping the ministry is capable of tampering with the peace of the oil-rich region, which could come with adverse consequences.
The forum made the call on Friday after an emergency meeting of its national executive and board of trustees at the Abuja residence of its national leader, Edwin Clark.
Recall that Tinubu had failed to name a Minister for Niger Delta Affairs following this week’s assignment of portfolios to Ministerial Designates, an indication that the ministry could be scrapped.
In a communiqué signed by Clark and its National Chairman, Emmanuel Essien, PANDEF reminded President Tinubu that the Niger Delta Ministry was created by former President Umaru YarAdua to, among other things, focus on the infrastructural development of the oil-producing states of the country.
The communiqué read in part, “The meeting discussed issues about the ongoing appointment and assignment of ministers as they affect the states of the Niger Delta region and the South-South geo-political zone, particularly the omission of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.”
“The meeting expresses 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.
“Reminds Mr. President that 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 livewire of the national economy.
“That the Ministry was created by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008 and was sustained under his two immediate predecessors (Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari) to help advance the course of peace in the Niger Delta region.”
Worried that scrapping the interventionist agency could destabilize the peace of the oil-rich region, PANDEF warned the federal government to desist from tampering with the Niger Delta Ministry, which they say serves as the flagship of peace in the region.
“That any misguided step toward scrapping or submerging the ministry will create an unfavorable environment with adverse consequences.
“We further caution 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.”
