The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has asked President Bola Tinubu to assent to the South-South Development Commission Bill pending before him to attract massive social and economic development to the oil-rich region.
The group also kicked against putting the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Ministry of Regional Development Commission and demanded a reversal to its old name – the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC)
The National Spokesperson of PANDEF Obiuwevbi Ominimini, made the call on Monday through a communique he read at a news conference in Abuja.
PANDEF in the communique, called on Tinubu, for the sake of justice, equity, and fair play, to appoint the next Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from the Niger Delta region.
The group from the oil-rich region noted that the challenges confronting people in the region could be effectively tackled if the various intervention policies and programmes are effectively monitored.
PANDEF argued that the assent to the South-South Development Commission bill will promote broader regional development in the area to complement the work of the NDDC,
The group commended governors of the South-South region for their untiring efforts in working toward the sustainable development of the area, despite the very difficult terrain and environmental circumstances which many of them have to grapple with.
Part of the communique read, “We observe with great concern the fact that the Bill for the establishment of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) which, after passage by the National Assembly was submitted at the same time as others to Mr. President, is yet assented to.
“We subscribe to the desirability of having a development commission for all the six geographic zones of the country without exception.
“We therefore view this withholding of assent 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 non-assent of this bill leaves the South-South region orphaned within the broader context of regional development commissions.
“The non-signing of this law could have a negative impact on the present state of peace which exists in the Niger Delta and the favourable environment which it creates for the upsurge in the production of oil and gas in the country.
“PANDEF Board of Trustees therefore calls on Mr. President to remedy the oversight which has resulted in the delay to assent to this bill and sign it without delay.”
It added: “It is only fair and just manner of treating the South-South zone as bonafide citizens of this country who deserve not to be discriminated against.”
PANDEF lamented that the Niger Delta region has a definite geographic boundary, but that the membership of the NDDC had extended beyond the boundary to include other oil-producing states such as Abia, Imo, Ondo and others, with a possibility of extending further to include other states in the future.
The Communique added that the PANDEF meeting strongly recommended that the name – NDDC should revert to its earlier designation as OMPADEC.
This, it noted, would distinguish it and prevent any confusion between it and the newly created South-South Development Commissions, all of which directed at creating inclusive national development irrespective of their production of natural resources.
The communique added, “The meeting also discussed issues about the oil and gas sector and noted with regret the recent decision of NNPC to join some private investors to develop five new LNG, CNG and LPG complexes with none in the Niger Delta, where the gas for most of these activities will come from.”
PANDEF BOT therefore called on the President to direct the NNPC to redress this situation and equally accelerate similar investments in the Niger Delta which should include the siting of mini refineries within the area.
“Additionally, BOT calls on Mr. President to personally show greater interests in working with Governors of the South-South states to develop other new ports in the various states of the region in the overall interest of the national economy and to further position Nigeria as a hub for blue economy in West and Central Africa,” it added.
