Don’t Scrap N/Delta Ministry, MOSIEND Urges Tinubu, Wants NDDC Returned To Presidency
3 min read
Edith CHUKU
The decision by the federal government to abolish the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, has been vehemently condemned by the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta MOSIEND.
MOSIEND also strongly opposed the plan to merge the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, into a new Ministry of Regional Development alongside other regional development commissions.
This was stated in a release made available to TNN on Wednesday, by the National President, Mr. Kennedy Tonjo-West.
MOSIEND described the decision as a “demonstration of insensitivity toward the Niger Delta’s unique challenges and contributions to the Nigerian economy,” and expressed disappointment with president Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration over the issue.
The foremost Niger Delta mass mobilization organization appealed to Tinubu that the NDDC be taken back to the presidency so as to address the problems of the region.
The release read, “we are angered by this decision, which was made without any consultation with the people of the Niger Delta.
“The Niger Delta Ministry and the NDDC were established after years of sacrifice, struggle, and even loss of lives by our people; these institutions serve as a lifeline, albeit an insufficient one, to address the persistent hardships, environmental degradation, and infrastructure deficits in the region.
“This decision only serves to deepen the wounds of neglect that our people have endured.
“Federal government’s interventions, including the establishment of the Niger Delta Ministry and the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, have been instrumental in stabilizing the region and increasing oil production.
“These efforts fall short of addressing the region’s comprehensive needs, which were outlined in reports submitted to the late president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration in the course of the presidential amnesty consideration and implementation.
“Any attempt to subsume the NDDC into a general Ministry of Regional Development fails to recognize the specific mandate and complexities of the Niger Delta, a region that shoulders significant economic responsibility for the nation.”
The organisation further urged the government to, “leave the NDDC under the direct oversight of the presidency where it can receive the proper funding, transparency, and accountability it deserves.”
Condemning the lack of engagement with Niger Delta stakeholders on consequential decisions like this, the MOSIEND President added that, “if the government truly intends to support the region, it should sit down with the people and not just the politicians to discuss a sustainable way forward.
“Our region cannot be treated as just any part of the country because undoubtedly as we are a vital pillar of Nigeria’s economy.”
MOSIEND further demanded that the federal government immediately reconsider it’s decision and prioritize meaningful dialogue with Niger Delta representatives to develop a solution that respects the people and peculiarities of the region.
He reaffirmed that MOSIEND remained committed to advocating for fair treatment and adequate developmental initiatives for the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.
