Don’t abolish Niger Delta Affairs ministry, PANDEF tells Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged not to abolish the Niger Delta Ministry by the Pan Niger Delta Forum.

Following Mr. President’s assignment of portfolios to ministerial designates this week, the group expressed disappointment at the lack to identify a Minister for the Ministry at the time.

The decision was made by the forum on Friday following an urgent meeting of its National Executive and Board of Trustees in the Abuja home of its national leader, Edwin Clark.

The Niger Delta Ministry was established by the former President Umaru Yar’ Adua to focus on, among other things, the infrastructural development of the nation’s oil-producing states, PANDEF reminded President Tinubu in a communique signed by Clark and its National Chairman, Emmanuel Essien.

“The meeting examined concerns relevant to the current nomination and assignment of Ministers, as it impacts the States of the Niger Delta region and South-South geopolitical zone, particularly the omission of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,” the communiqué stated in part.

The conference “Expresses great surprise that there is no designation for the current Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in the published assignment of Ministers to their various cabinet portfolios”

“Reminds Mr. President that the Ministry of the Niger Delta was established specifically to “focus on infrastructural development, environmental protection, and youth empowerment in the oil-rich Niger Delta region,” which is still significantly impacted by the oil and gas industry and is still the engine driving the national economy.

“That the Ministry was established by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008 and maintained by his two immediate successors (Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari) to aid in the advancement of the Niger Delta region’s peace.”

The Forum cautioned “That any erroneous step towards eliminating or submerging the ministry will create an unfavourable climate with detrimental effects” while urging President Tinubu to rectify the omission right once.

“We further urge the Federal Government to refrain from meddling with any institutions that, together with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, have served as flagship institutions for promoting peace and development in the Niger Delta region.

“We are hopeful that the Federal Government will be appropriately advised on this topic, even as we reiterate the leadership of PANDEF’s commitment to enduring the reign of peace and stability in the overall good of the country.”