Clark Rejects Scrapping Of N/Delta Ministry

 

Foremost leader of the Niger  Delta region and founder of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, on Wednesday, outrightly rejected the scrapping of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

President  Tinubu, had earlier, during federal executive council meeting held at Aso Villa Abuja, announced the  scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development.

Reacting to this development while speaking to our correspondent, the former minister of information, expressed displeasure over the development, stating that the news came to him as a surprise.

He said  there was no basis for scrapping of the  ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for now, noting that, the late President Yar’Adua had a reason  for creating it, with ultimate desire to develop the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria, to bring peace to the region. 

The elder statesman emphasized that there is  compelling need for Tinubu to avoid taken such decisions without recourse to wilder consultation with elders of the region.

According to him, the government needs to consult with the leaders of the Niger Delta and the South-South regions before taking such decision, stressing the Government is fully aware that there are unresolved issues which cannot be overlooked.

“We need to ensure that it isn’t scrapped without a clear plan for its replacement. We will not allow it to be scrapped, the government wants to use South South money to develop other Development Commissions.

“What I have noted so far is that there’s no basis for scrapping it. Yar’Adua had a clear purpose to address the security situation in the Niger Delta, which led to the creation of the ministry focused on developing that area.

“We have been working for some time now, managing our commissions. It’s not about that; it’s the administrative structure created by the President. Unfortunately, it was misunderstood by Nigerians due to its complexity.

“Why would you take over a Ministry without any development plans, funding, or concrete actions? Even the East-West Road, which was meant to be under the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is not being addressed; it has  been  handed back to the Ministry of Works”, Clark stated.

He said that the federal government lacks special arrangements for the ministry which has given rooms for creation of so many commissions across the different regions. 

He said that every region is creating its own development Commission with the responsibility of raising issue which may have triggered this action by Government.

“When I saw that every region was establishing its own development centers or Commissions, I  anticipated these issues would arise.

“Are there is going to be multiple ministries within one region? One would expect that 30 or 40 people would have walked out to share the details.

“I remember during the national conference in 2014, it was decided to increase the revenue allocation to the regions from 13% to 25%. Ultimately, it was settled at 18%, but we disagreed, which led to further discussions about a separate fund to support development post-Boko Haram.

“There was also an agreement that 5% of the federation account would be allocated annually to support regions affected by the conflict. Unfortunately, this has not been implemented.

We also agreed that 5% of the revenue account should be dedicated to developing mineral resources and other industries to enhance local capacity.

“I was pleased with these discussions, but they haven’t translated into action, which is concerning. The government must explain why they decided to halt critical legislation.

“This raises concerns about how the benefits of regional development are being managed. Many people feel disconnected from the process, and it seems resources are being diverted from local needs.

“In a democratic system, the government should be created for the people, by the people, and for their benefit. It shouldn’t operate as a one-man show”, Chief Clark stated.