In order to promote sustainable progress in the region, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has encouraged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to choose competent and experienced people to head the recently formed South-South Development Commission.
The conference praised the President for enacting the South-South Development Commission Bill, according to a statement released by Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, PANDEF’s National Chairman.
The National Assembly was also commended by the group for enabling the legislative procedure that resulted in its prompt passage.
PANDEF said, “This one action has increased our people’s confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering equitable regional development across Nigeria.” “Efforts to address the particular social, environmental, and developmental challenges facing the South-South region are also affirmated.”
PANDEF praised the commission’s formation but emphasized that the ability and moral character of those chosen to serve as its leaders will determine how well it worked.
The organization urged President Tinubu to give merit and experience top priority when choosing members to oversee the commission’s operations so that it may successfully support state governments’ initiatives to advance the Niger Delta.
The meeting also underlined the necessity of immediate government action to address the long-standing infrastructure deficiencies and environmental degradation in the oil-rich region.
PANDEF reaffirmed its position that the Federal Government must take more comprehensive action for economic development and environmental remediation outside of the commission.
In addition, PANDEF called for the restoration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State Assembly, urging the President to step in and resolve the continuing political situation in Rivers State.
In order to bring stability back to the state, the organization expressed worries about their suspension and called for swift action.
The statement read: “The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) expresses sincere gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the historic signing of the South-South Development Commission Bill into law, announced on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, on behalf of the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities and peoples that comprise the South-South geopolitical zone.” We also thank the National Assembly for finishing this piece of legislation on time.
“Our people now have more faith in the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting equitable regional development nationwide, particularly to address the unique social, environmental, and developmental difficulties that our region faces, thanks to this one move.
In order to ensure that this body plays a complementary role to the efforts of our Governors in delivering sustainable development to the region—which has been a major contributor to the maintenance of the Nigerian national economy for decades—PANDEF is hopeful that Mr. President will carefully select qualified and experienced individuals with the necessary skills and experience when establishing this new Commission.
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PANDEF reaffirms that other unresolved issues will be given priority, particularly environmental cleanup from the detrimental effects of oil and gas extraction and the severe lack of basic infrastructure, which pose an existential threat to the South-South.
Finally, PANDEF hopes that the President will kindly give urgent attention to returning the State to its normal democratic governance by promptly recalling the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly. This is in response to the repeated nationwide appeals and sincere concerns expressed by almost every region of the nation regarding the suspension of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and the State Assembly.
“We express our gratitude to President Tinubu and the National Assembly once more for this important accomplishment. PANDEF anticipates further cooperation, advancement, and peace in the days to come.
