Stakeholders from the Niger Delta region of the country have demanded that the region be included in the sharing and ownership of the oil blocs in the country. This was among the set of 16 demands pressed on President Muhammadu Bahari at a crucial meeting in Abuja Tuesday.
Other demands included the review of the presidential amnesty Programme, Relocation of Administrative and Operational Headquarters of IOCs to the area of operation, the approval of Maritime University, Strengthening the Niger Delta Ministry, resuscitation of Key regional critical infrastructures, the resentment of Bakassi indigenes, restructuring and funding of the NNDC.
Others were the introduction of fiscal federalism, economic development and empowerment of Niger delta people, improvement of power supply, security surveillance and protection of oil and gas infrastructure, meeting the immediate need of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, the effect of increased military presence in the Niger delta and The Ogoni clean-up and environmental remediation. Rising from the meeting which lasted about 3 hours at the council chambers of the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday, the leaders who were galvanized under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Forum led by chief Edwin Clarke stated that the issues were critical to finding lasting peace in Niger Delta.
Photo: From left, Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah; Amayanabo of Bonny, King Alfred Diette Spiff; Former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, Amb. Godknows Igali; Niger Delta Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clarke; Coordinator Amnesty Programme, and High Chief Mike Oloyibo during the meeting with Presidaen Muhammadu Buhari and Pan Niger Delta Stakeholders on lasting peace in the region at the Aso Chambers, State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi ADESHIDA
Source: Vanguard
