The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the South-South Development Commission Bill into law.
This is contained in a statement signed by the National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the action has boosted the confidence of the Niger-Delta people in the commitment of the Federal Government to promote regional development across the country.
“This singular action has boosted the confidence of our people in the commitment of the Federal Government to promote even regional development across the country and; in particular, to address the peculiar social, environmental, and developmental challenges facing our region” he stresses.
“On behalf of the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, PANDEF conveys profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the historic signing of the South-South Development Commission Bill into law” Ambassador Igali states.
The statement also commends the National Assembly for the timely completion of work on this piece of legislation
“We’re hopeful that in setting up this new Commission, Mr. President will carefully select competent and tested hands with cognate skills and experience to ensure that this body plays its complementary role to the efforts of our Governors in delivering sustainable development to the region, which continues to contribute immensely to the sustenance of the Nigerian national economy for decades” the PANDEF Chairman notes.
“PANDEF reiterates that other outstanding issues, especially environmental remediation from negative impact of oil and gas production as well as acute deficit in basic infrastructure which constitute existential threat to the South-South, will be treated as priority”
The statement therefore appeals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately recall the suspended Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor and the State Assembly, back to office.
“We’re hopeful that based on the sustained nationwide appeals and genuine concerns from virtually every corner of the country over the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor and the State Assembly, Mr. President will graciously accord urgent attention to restoration of the state back to its normal democratic governance by immediately recalling the Governor, Deputy Governor and the State Assembly.”
“Once again, we thank the President and the National Assembly for this significant milestone.
“PANDEF looks forward to continued collaboration, progress, and peace in the days ahead.”
