PANDEF Leadership Commended By Bayelsa Traditional Council Over Calibre Of Exco

… As Regional Body Seeks Appointment Of Next NNPPL From Zone

LAGOS – The Amb Igali led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) National Exco has been commended by the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, led by HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo over the quality of the organisation’s National Exco members.

According to a press statement on Sunday signed by apex socio-political umbrella body of the Niger Delta, Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini, this was disclosed when PANDEF National Exco led by Amb Godknows Igali paid a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa Traditional Council of Chiefs at Yenagoa, Beyelsa State to intimate the Royal fathers of the activities of the new exco and to receive their royal blessings. 

While addressing the Royal Fathers, Amb Igali said,  “PANDEF belongs to the people of South-South geo-political zone and that the Exco is responsible for delivering the messages of the people of the  region.

According to Olorogun, the National Chairman emphasised on the unity PANDF has brought to the region, saying that Niger Delta people speak in one voice through PANDEF. 

“The National Chairman said that the region needs to invest in agriculture. He likened the Niger Delta to the same soil in Vietnam where the Vietnamese people have a huge investment in the cultivation of rice. He said that we, Niger Deltans, can feed ourselves. 

“He commended the people of the region, describing them as no trouble maker, saying that any company that operates in the oil and gas sector in the region must respect the people of the region, whether offshore or onshore. He reiterated the speedy environmental cleanup of the devastated ecosystem, which may take even up to 30 years to achieve because of the high level of devastation. 

“Without mincing words, Amb Igali stated that NDDC can stand alone instead of merging it under the Ministry of Regional Development because it’s an interventionist agency which has to do with derivation. He therefore categorically stated that the next Chief Executive of NNPCL has to be appointed from the South-South geo-political zone.  He reported that he has addressed a memo to President Tinubu duly endorsed by the co-chairmen of the PANDEF board of trustees as to the signing into law without delay by Mr. President of the South-South Development Commission bill passed by the National Assembly.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, expressed happiness to receive the National Exco of   PANDEF. “He urged the Exco to develop a new strategy capable of bringing development and prevent others from taking undue advantage of Niger Deltans. He told the proverbial parable about the nature of the porcupine, which is thought to be a smaller animal, but cannot be trampled upon by the lion and other bigger animals.

“HRM emphasised the fact that the Niger Delta has fed Nigeria for over 60 years but that the region has nothing to show for it. He, however, stated that the Igali led Exco are people of high score cards capable of making a difference to attract development to the region. 

“HRM called on the Federal Government to establish the Riverine Marine Safety Corps for the riverine people of the Niger Delta just like it established the Federal Road Safety Corps.

“He also presented written weapons, two of his published books, including  the most empowering award winning book to PANDEF through  the National chairman.”