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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) Bill into law, stressing that it will ensure fairness and development in the region.
The group also demanded the renaming of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to its original name, Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), to prevent confusion regarding its scope and responsibilities.
Speaking on Monday after a Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting, PANDEF’s National Spokesperson, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, said the SSDC Bill would promote equity, just as similar bills for other geopolitical zones have been approved.
He emphasized that the NDDC is different from the proposed South-South Development Commission, as the NDDC serves oil-producing communities beyond the South-South region.
“The NDDC was created in 2000 to cater to all oil-producing areas in Nigeria, not just the South-South states. However, the South-South remains the only region without a dedicated Development Commission, despite being the main contributor to Nigeria’s revenue,” Ominimini said.
PANDEF also argued that the NDDC’s current name is misleading, as its membership now includes states like Abia, Imo, and Ondo, with the possibility of more states being added in the future.
The group, therefore, urged the Federal Government to restore the commission’s original name, OMPADEC, to avoid confusion with the proposed South-South Development Commission and ensure clear distinctions in their roles.
PANDEF further criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd.) for partnering with private investors to develop LNG, CNG, and LP gas complexes in Kogi State, with none planned for the Niger Delta.
The group described this move as economically unjust, arguing that the gas for these projects originates from the Niger Delta.
“This decision defies economic logic, as industries are best located near their raw material sources. It reinforces the long-standing claim that NNPC’s policies are unfair to the South-South region,” PANDEF stated.
The forum, therefore, urged President Tinubu to direct NNPC to establish similar projects in the Niger Delta, including mini refineries, to promote local economic growth.
PANDEF also called on President Tinubu to appoint a Niger Delta indigene as the next Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., arguing that the region deserves representation in key oil sector leadership positions.
Dr. Ominimini highlighted the Niger Delta’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy, stressing that the region has remained peaceful and loyal to the Nigerian state**, despite years of neglect.
“If other regions were in the Niger Delta’s position, they might have opted out of Nigeria. The people of Niger Delta should be commended for their patience and loyalty,” he said.
PANDEF urged the Federal Government to prioritize the region’s development needs, emphasizing that a stronger Niger Delta means a stronger Nigeria.
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