THE Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has raised concerns over the list of portfolios provided by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday which did not include a minister-designate for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
PANDEF brought up the subject following an emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees (BOT) and National Executive Committee yesterday in Abuja, and expressed surprise that Tinubu chose to do without a Minister for the department that has done a lot for the Niger Delta region.
At the conclusion of the conference, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, the national leader of the Forum, expressed dismay at the Ministry’s absence from the published list of ministers assigned to various cabinet posts.
Clark said the omission of a Minister for the Ministry by the President has sent a wrong signal and could cause a renewed restiveness by the youths in the region who could feel marginalised.
He also cautioned against what he described as a misguided step towards scrapping or submerging the Ministry which will create an unfavourable environment with adverse consequences.
“The Forum 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 live-wire of the national economy,” the Forum said in a communique.
“The Ministry which was created by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008, was sustained under his two immediate predecessors, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, to help advance the course of the peace in the Niger Delta region.
“We 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 country,” the communiqué added.
