The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), a group with the interest of the Niger Delta as its focus, has set up a committee to reconcile Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Notwithstanding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other major stakeholders’ interventions, the face-off between the duo, which started shortly after Governor Fubara’s assumption of office, had continued to drag on.
Also, the state legislature, as an aftermath of the conflict, has remained divided along the pro-Wike and pro-Fubara lines, a development that has led to several legal tussles.
…PANDEF peace move
To bring about peace therefore, PANDEF appointed a former Akwa Ibom state Governor Obong Victor Attah, who is the co-chairman of PANDEF Board of Trustees (BoT), to head the seven-man reconciliation committee.
Other committee members are Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Senator Rowland Owie, Senator Stella Omu, Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah(retd), Colonel Pam Ogar(retd), and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu.
This was the high point of the group’s special General Assembly in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Thursday, 24 October 2024.
The assembly, according to the communique issued Sunday, was jointly chaired by His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, the first military governor of Rivers state, and co-chairman PANDEF BoT, and Obong Atta.
The communique was jointly signed by King Diette-Spiff, former Governor Attah, former Nigeria Ambassador to Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway) and PANDEF National Chairman, Dr. Godknows B. Igali, Acting National Secretary Hon Godwin Okotie, and its spokesperson, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini.
“The Assembly hereby sets up a High Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate on and resolve all disputes and conflicts within the area. The Committee is headed by His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, PANDEF BOT. Others on the Committee are Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Senator Rowland Owie, Senator Stella Omu, H. E. Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah, H. E. Pam Ogar, and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu,” the communique said.
The group also expressed concerns over the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta, which it said. was established to address specific issues bordering on the peculiar circumstances of the Niger Delta.
“The Assembly notes with serious concern the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta which was established to address specific issues bordering on the peculiar circumstances of the Niger Delta, its damaged environment and its overall importance to the national economy.
“The Assembly further condemns that the Ministry has been dissolved into a non-existing body without due consideration to those specific circumstances that led to its creation nor consultation with the critical stakeholders.
“PANDEF, therefore, calls on the federal government desire to further discuss this matter with a view to addressing several specific concerns, especially at a time when the government is pursuing policies to radically increase oil production.
“The Assembly welcomes the proposed South-South Commission to supplement existing Federal Agencies. However, the name of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NÐDC) should reflect its functions and the actual membership,” they further added.
On matters specific to the Niger Delta region, the Assembly urged state governments to fully utilise the revenues from the 13% derivation to undertake the various critical programmes.
“PANDEF urges the State Governments in the zone to embark on massive industrialisation programmes to generate wealth, employment, and skills. Amongst other things?
“Through the vehicle of joint ventures with private investors, industrial estates and clusters can be established in all local government areas.
“Agriculture and Food Security can be boosted through mechanised methods, processing, and marketing in areas of competitive advantage, e.g., cassava, yam and other tubers, plantain, grains, aquaculture/ fisheries, poultry, livestock, oil palm, raffia palm, coconut, etc.
“Urges that an average of 20% of annual budget of States and LGAs is recommended for Industries and the Agriculture sectors,” it added.
…Education
In the area of education, it said: “Education is the primary driver of modernisation and development. To this end, the Niger Delta States must redouble effort to invest in quality and relevant education. This can be achieved through partnership with private investors.
“PANDEF calls on the State Governments to guarantee TUITION-FREE education at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
“The Region should aim at an average of one tertiary institution in each of the 185 LGAs. The minimum annual budget support in all the states of the Niger Delta should be 25% in line with the template recommended by UNESCO.”
…Exclusion in oil & gas sector
While examining “the succeeding policies of the federal government that exclude Niger Delta investors from effective participation in the oil and gas industry located on their land”, the Assembly “observed that Niger Delta businesses do not enjoy fair share of participation, neither own major oil blocs nor operate facilities in 60 years of the industry.
“This notwithstanding, the Assembly applauded the initiative of the African oil producing nations to establish the Energy Bank, to be headquartered in Nigeria, to finance more drilling, mining, refining, and marketing our abundant hydrocarbon deposits for Sustainable economic development.
“PANDEF calls on the Federal Government to show greater commitment in ensuring fairness in the manner in which the legal regime in the oil and gas sector, regarding participation of host communities is brought at par with the solid mineral sector.
“Assembly urges Niger Delta investors to take advantage of the likely opportunities of the Energy Bank, especially in establishing modular and minor refineries as well as develop green and clean energy potentials in furtherance of the global Climate Change programmes.”