….Says NDDC should revert to old name-OMPADEC
By: Mercy Peter
The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF Monday, 10 February 2025 called on President Bola Tinubu to assent to the South-South Development Commission’s Bill.
PANDEF also called on the government to revert the name of the Niger Delta Development Commission to its old name, Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission.
Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, National Spokesperson of the group told Journalists that for the sake of justice and equity, the President should assent to the SSDC bill like he did for the rest of the region.
He explained that people should not mistake the NDDC for the South South Commission, as it also involves other states outside the region.
Besides, he argued that NDDC is meant for oil producing communities across the country and not mainly for the development of the South-South region given its importance in the country.
He said the group: “Observes with great concern the fact that the Bill for the establishment of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) which, after passage by the National Assembly was submitted at the same time as others to Mr. President, is yet assented to.
“ Subscribes to the desirability of having a Development Commission for all the six geographic zones of the country without exception and therefore views this withholding of assent as a grave oversight or error, capable of creating a feeling of exclusion and dejection on the part of the people of the South-South.
“The non-assent of this bill leaves the South-South region orphaned within the broader context of regional development commissions which include the North East Development Commission (NEDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South West Development Commission
“The BOT reminds Mr. President and the Federal Government that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established by law in 2000 to mitigate specific issues targeting oil mineral producing communities and to create an enabling environment for hitch free oil and gas activities in the host communities. Hence the NDDC has its own specific funding formula and modus operandi.
“PANDEF further noted that, whereas the Niger Delta region has a definite geographic boundary, the membership of the NDDC has extended beyond this boundary to include other oil producing states such as Abia, Imo, Ondo and others, with a possibility of extending further to include other states in the future.
“The meeting therefore strongly recommended that the name, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which could become a misnomer, should revert to its earlier designation as Oil Mineral Production Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC). This will distinguish it and prevent any confusion between it and the newly created South-South Development Commissions all of which directed at are creating inclusive national development irrespective of their production of natural resources, hence their location within the Ministry of Regional Development which at present is ably manned by Engr. Abubakar Momoh, in whom we are well pleased.
“PANDEF restates that the assent to the South-South Development Commission bill will promote broader regional development in the area and complements the work of the NDDC, especially under the present capable Board and Managing Director, Dr. Sammy Ogbuku.
“This is the region that produces the money that runs this country. And today, we have development Commissions for the various geopolitical zones.
PANDEF also called on President Tinubu to appoint somebody from the Niger Delta region as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited.
PANDEF also described as regrettable the recent decision by NNPC to join some private investors to develop five new LNG, CNG and LP complexes in Kogi State with none in the Niger Delta, where the gas for most of these activities will come from.
The group said the decision “negates all known economic parameters on siting industries close to source of raw materials, it gives credence to the long standing agitation on the fact that NNPC and its management continue to pursue very unfair policies towards the South-South zone.”
“ The BOT therefore calls on Mr. President to direct the NNPC to redress this situation and equally accelerate similar investments in the Niger Delta which should include the siting of mini refineries within the area,” the group added.
Ominimini stressed that “the people of Niger Delta are the most peaceful people in the country.”
He added, “If other regions are of the positions of Niger Delta, they would have left Nigeria. The people of Niger Delta should be commended for their loyalty to the Nigeria project. We have, over the years, been very loyal to the Nigeria State.
“We believe in the unity of this country. But successive governments have not treated us fairly.The leaders of Niger Delta need to be commended. Because we have maintained peace to date for the free flow of the oil and gas. But the leaders of the region, under the umbrella of PANDE, the Social Political Affairs Body of the people of the region, set up two teams, Team A and Team B, to approach our youth on the need to allow for the free flow of the oil. Today, we have increased production. But what do we have to show for it? Nothing.
Ends
