The National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Ambassdor Godknows Igali has called for the speedy environmental clean up of the devastated ecosystem, in the region.
Ambassador Igali stated this when he led National Exco on a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa Traditional Council of Chiefs at Yenagoa, Beyelsa State to intimate the Royal fathers of the activities of the new exco and to receive their royal blessings.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini in Abuja says the clean up may take up to thirty years to be achieve because of the high level of devastation.
According to the statement Amb Igali states that NDDC can stand alone instead of merging it under the Ministry of Regional Development because it is an interventionist agency which has to do with derivation.
The statement therefore states categorically that the next Chief Executive of NNPCL has to be appointed from the South South Geoplolitical zone, adding that he has written a memo to president Tinubu duly also endorsed by the Co-Chairmen of the PANDEF board of trustees as to the signing into law without delay by Mr President, of the South South Development Commission bill as passed by the National Assembly.
“PANDEF belongs to the people of South South Geo political zones and the Exco is responsible for delivering the messages of the people of the Region. PANDEF has brought unity to the region as though there are various languages but Niger Delta now speaks in one voice through the Forum” he notes
“The region needs to invest in agriculture likening the Niger Delta to the same soil in Vietnam where the Vietnamese people have a huge investment in the cultivation of rice. Niger Deltans, can feed themselves”
It describes the people as peace makers, urging companies that operates in the oil and gas sector in the region to respect the people of the region, whether offshore or onshore.
The statement says responding the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers through HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo commended the leadership qualities of the PANDEF National Excos and urged them to develop a new strategy capable of bringing development and prevent others in taking undue advantage of Niger Deltans.
