President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called upon leaders and stakeholders in the South-South and Niger Delta regions to actively support his administration’s initiatives aimed at accelerating development in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
The appeal was made in a statement released Wednesday by Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), following a recent visit by a delegation from the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
President Tinubu underscored the region’s significance to the nation’s economy, stating, “We must care for the Niger Delta; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.” He emphasized the urgent need for sustained and focused development efforts.
The President also addressed the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, assuring PANDEF and the public that he is actively working to restore peace and stability. “I got your (PANDEF’s) signal and concerns regarding Rivers State, and I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crises festering for too long ‘before’ I intervened,” he explained, indicating a proactive approach to resolving the situation.
Tinubu further urged political leaders in the Niger Delta to collaborate closely with developmental agencies to expedite progress in the region. He specifically commended the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for his contributions to the region’s economic and infrastructural growth.
“We are all proud of Ogbuku because he is doing a great job. Community development is very close to my heart, and Ogbuku should be encouraged to do more,” the president stated.
The President advised Niger Delta leaders to prioritize selfless leadership, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing the political and economic future of the region. He highlighted the potential of the coastal road project to generate new economic opportunities for both the Niger Delta and the entire country.
He also revealed plans by the Federal Government to partner with international companies in developing new ports in the Niger Delta, aiming to further expand economic prospects for the region.
King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom in Bayelsa State and Co-Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s commitment to the South-South region’s development.
He lauded the president’s decision to appoint Niger Delta indigenes to key government positions. “Your government has taken the bull by the horns, and we are confident that you will succeed,” King Diete-Spiff said. His remarks convey the regional body’s optimism regarding the Tinubu administration’s approach to Niger Delta development.
