ADVERTISEMENT

Reps reject call to restore Niger Delta ministry scrapped by Tinubu

The Rep. said that the ministry was to ameliorate the suffering, agitations and neglect of the oil-rich region for decades by successive governments.

House of Representatives members during plenary session. [ThisDay]

The motion, which was sponsored by Rep. Oboku Oforji (PDP-Bayelsa), was dropped following Speaker Tajudeen Abbas’ announcement that the President was willing to sign the South-South Development Commission Bill.

Abbas told the House that he got the President’s assurances over the bill in a meeting, saying that the motion had been overtaken by events.

The Majority Leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC-Edo) said that the issues contained in the motion were germane.

ADVERTISEMENT

He, however, said that the conversion of the Niger Delta Development Ministry to that of the Ministry of Regional Development will not in any way deny the Niger Delta region of its due development.

According to him, it will reduce its impact in the region, but it has only broadened its scope to develop other regions.

It would be recalled that President Tinubu had on October 24, scraped the ministry and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development.

The change expanded the mandate of the new ministry to encompass developmental activities in all the six geo-political zones in the country.

Earlier, Oforji recalled that the Ministry of Niger Delta Development was created on Sept. 10, 2008, by late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who appointed Ufot Ekaette as the first minister.

ADVERTISEMENT

He explained that the ministry was created to promote and coordinate policies for the development, peace, unity and security of the Niger Delta region.

The Rep. said that the ministry was to ameliorate the suffering, agitations and neglect of the oil-rich region for decades by successive governments.

He said that the years of oil spillage, lack of arable land and social amenities in the region had necessitated the emergence of militancy in the region.

“It was in the short term of late President Yar’Adua ‘s leadership from Katsina State that dialogue was initiated with major stakeholders in the region and militants culminating in the Amnesty Programme that has brought relative peace to the region.

“These were a prelude to the creation of the ministry, which was aimed at infrastructural development, environmental protection and empowerment of the youths in the region.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The people of Niger Delta believe that the lofty dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the region will be actualised someday, hence their embrace of the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development,” he said

Oforji said that the oil-rich region witnessed palpable tension following the announcement of the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

The House, however, resolved to step down the bill and to expedite actions on the bill on the South-South Development Commission, which currently exists in other geo-political zones and is controlled by the new Ministry of Regional Development.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Tinubu's 'Tax Reform Bill' secures fresh Northern backing

Tinubu's 'Tax Reform Bill' secures fresh Northern backing

Federal Government names ICT block after Tinubu’s late mother

Federal Government names ICT block after Tinubu’s late mother

Notorious bandit Bello Turji’s men in fierce gunfight with soldiers in Sokoto

Notorious bandit Bello Turji’s men in fierce gunfight with soldiers in Sokoto

Sokoto students dismiss Governor's SA of financial mismanagement allegations

Sokoto students dismiss Governor's SA of financial mismanagement allegations

Lakurawa: Shehu Sani reveals origin, affiliates of new terrorist group

Lakurawa: Shehu Sani reveals origin, affiliates of new terrorist group

Gov Otti's govt declares free education in Abia State

Gov Otti's govt declares free education in Abia State

Mutfwang says its 'heap of polythene bags', debunks explosion rumours in Jos

Mutfwang says its 'heap of polythene bags', debunks explosion rumours in Jos

Tinubu reappoints Duna as NBRRI Director-General for another 4 years

Tinubu reappoints Duna as NBRRI Director-General for another 4 years

As tenure ends, Obaseki pardons 77-year-old man and 15 others on death row

As tenure ends, Obaseki pardons 77-year-old man and 15 others on death row

Pulse Sports

Ademola Lookman: CAF celebrates Super Eagles star goals at AFCON ahead of African Footballer of the Year award

Ademola Lookman: CAF celebrates Super Eagles star goals at AFCON ahead of African Footballer of the Year award

Duplantis shows off fiancee with Sha'Carri Richardson at LSU football game as Christian Coleman watches on

Duplantis shows off fiancee with Sha'Carri Richardson at LSU football game as Christian Coleman watches on

Lookman makes Ballon d’or history Osimhen, Kanu failed to achieve

Lookman makes Ballon d’or history Osimhen, Kanu failed to achieve

'I will pick him everyday' - Paul Pogba settles Ronaldo vs Messi debate

'I will pick him everyday' - Paul Pogba settles Ronaldo vs Messi debate

Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses the world’s richest female musician on YouTube who is 2 times richer than him

Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses the world’s richest female musician on YouTube who is 2 times richer than him

Most Beautiful: Sha'Carri Richardson turns up with 'boyfriend' Christian Coleman for Cowboys-Falcons game receiving loud ovation

Most Beautiful: Sha'Carri Richardson turns up with 'boyfriend' Christian Coleman for Cowboys-Falcons game receiving loud ovation

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT