By Attah Ede
The National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF), Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to give the deserved attention to the development of the region.
He said this was necessary for national security and economic progress of the country.
Dr. Igali lamented that the region, despite contributing significantly to the nation’s wealth, continues to struggle at the very bottom of most of the recognized development indices.
He said it is now time for the region to redouble its efforts to ensure that the dividends of democracy and good governance are visible to its people.
Towards this, he said President Tinubu must as a matter of urgency, give assent to the Bill on Establishment of South South Development Commission, which he said, would bring the area at par with the other geopolitical zones.
He further called on the President to initiate definite measurable policies, programmes and steps to effect environmental remediation beginning with a comprehensive cleanup of the much polluted Niger Delta ecosystem.
The national chairman of the sociopolitical group enjoined the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on the deplorable state of the federal highway network in the region.
Igali also urged the government to address the current gross absence of qualified sons and daughters of the Niger Delta in critical top management positions in the NNPCL, its subsidiaries, and the oil and gas industry in general.
Igali, who stated this in his new year message to the Nigerians, restated that the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the apex sociopolitical body of the South South remains committed to advocating for the collective interests of the Niger Delta people .
He assured that PANDEF under his leadership, is committed to promote and support all initiatives aimed at not just the economic development of the region but also to work with similar regional bodies for the unity , harmony and prosperity of Nigeria.
“On behalf of the National Leader, our Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all our compatriots of the Niger Delta and indeed to all Nigerians, as we step into the New Year, 2025.
“We especially commend the outstanding commitment and leadership provided by our elected officials , beginning with our six state Governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers and including our National Assembly members ably led by the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, not forgetting our State Assemblies across the region.
“Their collective unwavering dedication to fostering economic, social, and infrastructural development in the South-South zone is worthy of recognition.
” Also worthy of due recognition is the impressive performance of the current Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) team, under the capable leadership of Dr. Samuel Ongbuku, with the successful commissioning of such highly impactful projects as the community wide solar-powered street lighting initiative spread across all the NDDC States.
“By any measure, the region has seen remarkable progress, particularly in the face of daunting challenges like the waterlogged terrain, frequent flooding, and unpredictable weather patterns that affect many of our developmental efforts.
“As we look ahead to 2025, the prospects for the Niger Delta are filled with promise and opportunities for greater peace and security, enhanced economic development, and political stability”. He said
