PANDEF says delay in Tinubu signing south-south devt commission bill unfair to region  

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the leading voice of the South-South region, has ramped up pressure on the Federal Government to address long-standing issues of development, resource control, and equitable distribution of opportunities. 

National Spokesman of PANDEF, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, addressing newsmen on the emergency meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday February 5th, said the Forum issued a strong statement outlining its key demands.
At the heart of PANDEF’s concerns is the delayed assent to the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) bill, which has already been passed by the National Assembly. “We observe with great concern that the Bill for the establishment of the South-South Development Commission… is yet assented to,” it stated.

PANDEF argued that the lack of action on this bill creates a sense of exclusion and injustice among the people of the South-South, especially when similar commissions have been established for other regions of the country.

PANDEF said it fears that the delay could undermine the fragile peace in the Niger Delta, which is crucial for the nation’s oil and gas production. “The non-signing of this law could have a negative impact on the present state of peace which exists in the Niger Delta,” PANDEF warned, calling on President Bola  Tinubu to “remedy the oversight” and sign the bill “without delay.”

PANDEF also addressed concerns surrounding the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), established in 2000 to address the specific needs of oil-producing communities. It suggested renaming the NDDC to the “Oil Mineral Production Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC)” to avoid confusion with the proposed SSDC and to reflect its specific mandate.

Beyond institutional reforms, PANDEF voiced concerns about the allocation of resources and opportunities in the oil and gas sector. The Forum criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for its decision to invest in new LNG, CNG, and LPG complexes outside the Niger Delta, where the gas will be sourced. “This negates all known economic parameters on siting industries close to source of raw materials,” PANDEF stated, calling on the President to direct NNPC to redress the situation and invest in similar projects within the region.

PANDEF’s statement also highlighted the neglect of seaports in the South-South, despite the government’s focus on developing the marine and blue economy. The Forum called for the revamping of existing ports and the development of new ones in the region.
In a call for unity and stability, PANDEF urged the people of the Niger Delta to maintain law and order while the organization continues to engage with the Federal Government on these critical issues.

The Forum concluded by acknowledging the establishment of the Federal University of Environmental Technology, Ogoni, as a positive step and reiterating PANDEF’s commitment to resolving lingering issues through constitutional means.