FG told to fulfil promises to Niger Delta

OVER what they described as policy limiting the accelerated growth and development of the Niger Delta region, Stakeholders under the aegis of “Pan Niger Delta Forum” has renewed their call on the federal government to muster the political will to actualize promises to ensure that resource from the region those not become a course by fast track development the component states.

This was the position of PANDEF led by its National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark after a general meeting held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.

He noted that the 16 point demands is still on the front burner, and urged that promises made when the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo tour the region should fulfilled as panacea for peace that would continue to shore up production barrels of crude oil for export.

Clark, who noted that the demands are surmountable, noted that they include: the take-off of academic session 2017/18 at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta State.

Continuing, he reminded the federal government of relocation of the head offices of all oil companies to the Niger Delta; the initiative must be taken by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.

The Assembly demands that the relocation of the head offices must be done on or before October 1st, 2017.

Clark also demanded a comprehensive programme for the surveillance of oil pipelines and facilities to be handled by youths, in their respective areas across the oil producing communities of the Niger

Delta region, to effectively engage them thereby discouraging idleness than fans negative vices.

The foremost Ijaw Leader, emphasized that the establishment of modular refineries in the region should be in partnership with local investors and host communities to replace illegal refineries being operated by some of the youths in the Niger Delta region, just as he called for the Clean-up of Ogoni lands which has been abandoned for months after the symbolic flag-off.

Clark pointed that the resolution of the decade-old refugee crisis of the Bakassi Peninsula by setting up a Federal Commission for resettlement and equitable implementation of the Green Tree Agreement signed by Nigeria and Cameroon be implemented.

The Forum, however, urged nationalities in the Niger Delta region to show greater commitment to harmonious co-existence and eschew acts capable of causing disaffection and internal conflicts, just as it condemnation of the quit notice given by the Arewa Youths to the Igbos on account that it potent threat to the corporate existence of the Country.

On restructuring and federalism, Clark emphasized forum’s position and the urgent need for restoration of true Federalism and political restructuring of the country, which can be done by implementing the 2014 National Conference report, on areas centered on devolution of powers, fiscal federalism and ownership of natural resources, creation of new states, State police security institutions, and judiciary.

The statement reads “The government should ensure that action on all the imperative changes of restructuring and other urgent national issues is completed by the end of December, 2017.

The foremost Ijaw Leader urged the federal government to secure life and property throughout the country by dealing decisively with the menace and aggression of fulani herdsmen and armed terrorists who have occupied and set up camps in most parts of southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt States.

To this end, Forum, called on the federal government to dialogue with all agitators in all sections and zones of the country for an amicable settlement and resolution of all contentious issues in the country.