***Accedes to PANDEF call not to scrap Niger Delta ministry
President Bola Tinubu has broken another record by effecting changes to his cabinet team few hours to their being sworn in to office
He has moved Engineer Abubakar Momoh from the Ministry of Youth to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development as Minister-designate.
This may not be unconnected with the Pan Niger Delta Forum’s (PANDEF) note of caution through a communique they sent to President Bola Tinubu against any misguided step towards scrapping or submerging the ministry as it will create an unfavorable environment with adverse consequences.
They further cautioned the federal government to desist from tampering with any institution(s), which along with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, have been flagship institution(s), to ensure peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
The presidency had indicated that the Ministry of Niger Delta was scrapped because there is also the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Following the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta, all the works and duties previously mandated to the ministry were to be moved to the NDDC.
However, as a listening President, he promply reversed the earlier decision
A new minister-designate is to be announced for the Youth Ministry.
President’s spokesman Mr. Ajuri Ngelale announced other changes as follows:
▪︎ Former Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy. Adegboyega was initially named for the Transportation Ministry.
▪︎ Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Interior.
▪︎ Hon. Sa’idu Alkali is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Transportation.
The statement adds: “Furthermore, both Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the following designations:
(i) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources
(ii) Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo is the Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources
“The President approves the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management as the Federal Ministry of Environment.
“All aforementioned changes take immediate effect by these directives of the President.”