The Chief Edwin Clark led Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF has set up a committee to reconcile Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile political god father, the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The committee is headed by a former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT.
This was disclosed in a communique issued on Sunday at the end of the group’s special General Assembly in Portharcourt, Rivers State on 24 October 2024.
The Assembly, the communique noted was jointly chaired by His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, first Military Governor of Rivers State, and Co-Chairman of PANDEF Board of Trustees and His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Co-Chairman of PANDEF Board of Trustees.
The High Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee according to the communique is to mediate on and resolve all disputes and conflicts within the area.
Other members of 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 group also expressed concern over the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta which was established to address specific issues bordering on the peculiar circumstances of the Niger Delta.
The group also condemned the federal government’s neglect of strategic infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.
While condemning the exclusion of investors from the region in the oil and gas sector, it however 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. ”
The Assembly further urged “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.”
The Assembly also welcomed the proposed South-South Commission to supplement existing Federal Agencies.
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 also urged the State Governments in the zone to embark on massive industrialisation programmes to generate wealth, employment, and skills.
The group also recommended an average of 20% of annual budget of States and LGAs for Industries and the Agriculture sectors.
In the area of education, the group urged the states within the region to invest more in education and also grant tuition-free education at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
PANDEF also recommended an average of one tertiary institution in each of the 185 LGAs and a 25% minimum annual budget support in all the states of the Niger Delta in line with the template recommended by UNESCO.
The Assembly also underscored the pivotal role of research and publications in the advocacy for Niger Delta identity and prospectus for sustainable development. To this end PANDEF is to set up Research Institutes and publication platforms to propagate ideas and information on the Niger Delta region and its vision in the competitive global community.
Other recommendations include construction of railway and maritime transport for the region.
