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.