By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently sign the bill establishing the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).
The group noted that delay in signing the bill could be detrimental to the region’s peace and economic development.
PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini, said this while speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
Reading from a communiqué, Ominimini warned that withholding assent to the bill risks creating feelings of exclusion and marginalization among South-South citizens.
According to PANDEF, the bill’s passage would promote comprehensive regional development and complement the work of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The forum also urged Tinubu to restore the NDDC to its previous designation as the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC). PANDEF argued that this change would clarify the commission’s mandate and prevent confusion with the proposed SSDC.
PANDEF demanded that the next chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) should come from the Niger Delta.
The forum noted that many qualified individuals from the region have been overlooked, calling for fairer representation.
The group expressed disappointment over “NNPCL’s partnership with private investors to develop new gas complexes outside the Niger Delta, despite the region supplying the gas”.
PANDEF called for investments in mini-refineries and other gas-related infrastructure within the region.
The forum highlighted the neglect of key ports in the region, including Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, and Onne Ports.
It called on the Federal Government to revamp these ports and develop new ones in collaboration with South-South state governors to boost Nigeria’s blue economy.
