The National President of the Oil and Gas Producing States of Nigeria (OGPSN), Chief Akpo-otupeikumo Douere, has made a compelling plea to President Bola Tinubu to empower the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, emphasizing that it’s the key to achieving sustainable progress in the region.
During a press conference in Abuja, the group highlighted the pivotal role played by the Ministry of Niger Delta Development in addressing the challenges faced by the resource-rich yet underserved region. “This underscores the importance of strengthening the ministry by increasing its funding, fostering enhanced collaboration, ensuring transparency, and focusing on sustainable development. This, we believe, will catalyze meaningful progress, uplift communities, and fully harness the region’s immense potentials”, it stated.
The OGPSN expressed sincere appreciation for the commitment and readiness of the current Minister, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, to drive the much-needed development in the Niger Delta. However, they acknowledged the critical need for adequate funding for the ministry, “as without it, meaningful progress remains elusive”, the group acknowledged.
The OGPSN noted the paradox of having a Ministry of Niger Delta Development without full control over the major agencies essential to its mission, such as the Presidential Amnesty Program and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). They called for these agencies to be consolidated under the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to ensure efficient supervision and delivery on its mandate.
Furthermore, the group commended the Minister’s proactive approach, including inspections of ongoing projects and efforts to unite regional stakeholders against oil theft, marking a positive departure from past practices. They urged former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Convener of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, Governors of the 9 states, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to demand full support for the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, including adequate funding and the inclusion of all relevant agencies.
The OGPSN also stressed the importance of collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, emphasizing that the Niger Delta Development Ministry must not be sidelined in the pursuit of its development goals.
Regarding environmental cleanup efforts, the group noted the mismatch between the Ministry of Niger Delta’s mandate and the handling of the Ogoni cleanup project by the Ministry of Environment. They highlighted the need for for the agency to be moved to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to ensure accountability and effective execution.
The OGPSN also noted that the Presidential Amnesty Program domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser, despite its critical role in the region’s development. They emphasized the importance of moving the Amnesty office under the Ministry’s jurisdiction to better serve the region’s needs.
Finally, the impassable state of major regional roads like the East West road, managed by the Ministry of Works, was highlighted as a critical issue. The group questioned when such vital infrastructure projects would be completed, considering the significant challenges faced. They called on the president to move the supervision of the road to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development for proper supervision and execution.
According to Chief Akpo-otupeikumo Douere, “this press conference serves as a clarion call for the empowerment of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, because it holds the key to unlocking the region’s potential and driving sustainable development. We have by the press conference shed light on the critical issues facing the region, the ministry of Niger Delta Development, call on the stakeholders to intervene and also underscore the urgency of addressing the issues for the betterment of the region and its people”.
