The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for the appointment of the next Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from the South-South region, emphasizing the Niger Delta’s pivotal role in the nation’s oil wealth.
This demand was made during a courtesy visit by the PANDEF National Executive Committee (Exco), led by Ambassador Godknows Igali, OON, to the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers in Yenagoa.
Ambassador Igali highlighted that the Niger Delta, which produces the bulk of Nigeria’s oil, has long been marginalized in leadership positions within the oil and gas sector.
He argued that it is only fair that the next GMD of NNPCL, the key player in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, comes from the region.
“The Niger Delta has been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy for over 60 years,” Igali stated. “It is time for our people to not only bear the burden of oil production but also have a direct hand in managing these resources at the highest level.
“A GMD from our region will ensure that policies reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities most affected by oil exploration.”
PANDEF also rejected any proposal to merge the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under a broader Ministry of Regional Development.
Igali stressed that the NDDC was established specifically to address the environmental degradation and underdevelopment caused by decades of oil exploitation in the Niger Delta.
“NDDC is an interventionist agency rooted in the principle of derivation, and it must remain independent,” he said. “Merging it under a generalized ministry would dilute its focus and undermine its effectiveness in tackling the unique challenges faced by our region.”
Ambassador Igali disclosed that PANDEF had submitted a formal memo to President Bola Tinubu, co-signed by the forum’s Board of Trustees, urging him to sign the South-South Development Commission Bill into law.
The bill, recently passed by the National Assembly, aims to accelerate development in the region.
Ambassador Igali also addressed the severe environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, calling for urgent action to restore the region’s ecosystem. He noted that the environmental cleanup process could take up to 30 years due to the extent of the damage caused by oil spills and gas flaring.
“Oil companies operating in our region must respect the communities and take responsibility for the environmental destruction they have caused,” Igali asserted.
He further advocated for agricultural development in the Niger Delta, comparing the region’s fertile soil to that of Vietnam, a country renowned for its rice production. “We have the capacity to feed ourselves and become an agricultural powerhouse,” he said, emphasizing the need for diversification beyond oil.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, expressed strong support for PANDEF’s initiatives, praising the Exco for its commitment to the region’s development.
“The Niger Delta has fed Nigeria for over six decades, yet we have little to show for it,” King Dakolo stated. “The Igali-led Exco is made up of individuals with proven track records who can bring about meaningful change.”
King Dakolo urged PANDEF to develop new strategies to protect the region from exploitation and to drive sustainable development. Using the metaphor of the porcupine, he emphasized the resilience of the Niger Delta: “We may seem small, but like the porcupine, we are not to be trampled upon.”
He also called on the Federal Government to establish a Marine Safety Corps to address the unique security challenges faced by riverine communities in the Niger Delta, akin to the Federal Road Safety Corps for road transportation.
As a symbol of support, King Dakolo presented two of his published books, including an award-winning work, to PANDEF through Ambassador Igali.
The visit to the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers underscores PANDEF’s commitment to unifying the South-South region and amplifying its voice in national discussions. Ambassador Igali reiterated PANDEF’s resolve to ensure the Niger Delta receives its fair share of national resources and representation.
“Though we speak different languages, the Niger Delta now speaks with one voice through PANDEF,” he declared. “We will continue to advocate for our people until justice and equity are achieved.”
The demands for leadership roles in key institutions like NNPCL and the preservation of the NDDC’s independence reflect PANDEF’s broader goal of ensuring the Niger Delta’s resources are managed in ways that directly benefit the region’s communities.
