By tf-lawyer.com In an interview regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, many observers have noted that while the intention may have been to energize the administration, it has left the people of the Niger Delta with more questions than answers. A significant decision from this reshuffle was the abolishment of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, a department dedicated to addressing the unique needs and development of this resource-rich region. The merger of this ministry into the newly formed Ministry of Regional Development has sparked concerns that the Niger Delta is being sidelined.
“To add to the confusion, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which was established to service nine coastal states in the southern region, no longer solely represents the Niger Delta,” stated Chief Edwin Clark, a prominent Ijaw national leader and founder of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). Interestingly, states such as Ondo, Imo, and Abia, which are geographically outside the Niger Delta, also benefit from special development initiatives. While Ondo is part of the South West and Imo and Abia belong to the South East, they continue to enjoy resources from both their regional commissions and the new regional ministry.
This begs the question: with the dissolution of a dedicated Niger Delta ministry, does the region now lack representation? Chief Clark voiced his concerns in a recent telephone interview, emphasizing that he believed the scrapping of the ministry was misguided. “The late President Umaru Musa-Yar’Adua established this ministry with a clear goal of addressing the security issues in the Niger Delta and focusing on its development,” he noted.
He also highlighted the complex administrative structure of the ministry, which has often been misunderstood by the public. “Why would you eliminate a ministry with no clear development plans or funding in place? Even the East-West Road, which should fall under the purview of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is being reassigned to the Ministry of Works. This highlights a lack of specialized federal support for our region.”
Clark further pointed out that as different regions formed their own development commissions, he anticipated potential conflicts. “The government needs to engage with the leaders of the Niger Delta and the South-South regions on these critical matters. These unresolved issues cannot simply be ignored.”
Minister Abubakar Momoh, who oversees the newly formed Ministry of Regional Development, attempted to address the concerns raised by Clark and others. He asserted that while the ministry was renamed, the NDDC remains intact under this new oversight. “I want to reassure everyone in the Niger Delta that this change does not diminish their representation or agency. It’s merely a rebranding with an expansion of responsibilities,” he stated.
Despite the minister’s reassurances, it remains to be seen whether his explanations can truly alleviate the concerns growing within the Niger Delta community. As it stands, the cabinet reshuffle has positioned Ondo, Imo, and Abia states advantageously, potentially enhancing their economic standing compared to the Niger Delta itself.
