On behalf of the National Leader, our Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all our compatriots of the Niger Delta and indeed to all Nigerians, as we step into the New Year, 2025.
Looking back at 2024, we reflect on a year marked by notable achievements, despite some challenges that continue to confront our region. These challenges include the persistent issue of environmental degradation, the terrible state of the network of federal highways linking the region, and the painful loss of some of our esteemed leaders. Nevertheless, we also take pride in the significant strides made toward progress, largely due to the tireless efforts of our leaders , elder statesmen and grassroots organizations, who continue to make deep personal sacrifices for the progress of our region.
We especially commend the outstanding commitment and leadership provided by our elected officials , beginning with our six state Governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers and including our National Assembly members ably led by the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, not forgetting our State Assemblies across the region. Their collective unwavering dedication to fostering economic, social, and infrastructural development in the South-South zone is worthy of recognition. Also worthy of due recognition is the impressive performance of the current Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) team, under the capable leadership of Dr. Samuel Ongbuku, with the successful commissioning of such highly impactful projects as the community wide solar-powered street lighting initiative spread across all the NDDC States.
By any measure, the region has seen remarkable progress, particularly in the face of daunting challenges like the waterlogged terrain, frequent flooding, and unpredictable weather patterns that affect many of our developmental efforts
As we look ahead to 2025, the prospects for the Niger Delta are filled with promise and opportunities for greater peace and security, enhanced economic development, and political stability. However, it is essential that we do not rest on our oars because in spite of progress made, there remains much work to be done to bring the quality of life of the average Niger Deltan in line with the level of natural resources we are blessed with.
Our region, despite contributing significantly to the nation’s wealth, continues to struggle at the very bottom of most of the recognized development indices and it is now time for us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the benefits of democracy and good governance get to every corner of our region.
It is PANDEF ‘s top agenda to work tirelessly with our Stakeholders to elevate the standard of living of our people, especially in our rural areas, most of which bear the brunt of disastrous environmental consequences of oil and gas extraction activities in the region.
It is noteworthy that beyond oil and gas, we are fortunate to be blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile soil, and ideal climatic conditions conducive to large-scale agricultural production. Additionally, our extensive coast & shore lines present immense potentials to underpin a globally competitive blue-economy industry covering areas such as fisheries, silicon from river sand , sea salt industries , mining of rarevcoral deposits, mangrove roots for water desalination, water-based mud for drilling operations, miles of sandy waterfront for tourism beaches , marine sports & coastal transportation, to mention a few.
To realize these lofty goals will require the collective effort of all stakeholders up and down the leadership chain, with a very effective cross-sector collaboration from our National Assembly members to our state governors and the local governments , including the intervention agencies.
PANDEF strongly believes that bringing all the stakeholders under the aegis of a single point of coordination such as the PANDEF and the BRACED Commission will greatly facilitate the actualization of this lofty desire
Furthermore, our sons and daughters in the private sector, many of whom are actually in leadership roles in the financial sector as well as in the communication sector, and the mass media, etc have a substantial role to play in providing the necessary technical and commercial advisory services as well as mobilize local funding and foreign direct investment partners to promote and support qualified projects.
We must also focus on strengthening our presence in the emerging opportunities in the oil and gas sector in our region, which holds considerable potential for economic growth.
In closing, we call on our President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to continue to give due attention to the region’s existential threats because of the critical importance of the Niger Delta to national security & economic survival . Through the collaborative efforts of our elders, community leaders, women, and youth, we have ensured a steady increase in oil production and are committed to maintaining and exceeding the set targets in the years to come.
However, there are pressing issues that require immediate attention. We therefore earnestly call on Mr. President to seriously consider and address the following concerns of the region:
i. The early accent of the Bill on Establishment of South South Development Commission, which will, as expected bring the area at par with the other geopolitical zones.
ii. Definite measurable policies, programmes and steps to effect environmental remediation beginning with the comprehensive cleanup of the much polluted Niger Delta ecosystem.
iii. Immediate declaration of a state of emergency over the deplorable state of the federal highway network in the region.
iv. Address the current gross under-representation of qualified sons and daughters of the Niger Delta in critical top management positions in the NNPCL, its subsidiaries, and the oil and gas industry in general.
It needs restating that the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the apex sociopolitical body of the South South remains committed to advocating for the collective interests of the Niger Delta people . We are committed to promote and support all initiatives aimed at not just the economic development of the region but also equally important, to work with similar regional bodies for the unity , harmony and prosperity of our father land , Nigeria.
PANDEF wishes the entire Niger Delta and Nigeria a peaceful, prosperous, and memorable New Year.
Amb. Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON
National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum-PANDEF
