A significant aspect of President Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle was the dissolution of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, replaced by the newly established Ministry of Regional Development. This anticipated government reorganization involved the dismissal of six ministers, the appointment of seven new ones, and the reassignment of ten, including the abolition of the Ministry of Sports.
The decision to abolish the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has drawn criticism from key stakeholders in the region, particularly Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark. He pointed out that the ministry was originally established under former President Umaru Yar’Adua as a concession aimed at curbing militancy in the oil-producing Niger Delta region. The ministry’s establishment, along with initiatives like the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and ongoing funding for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has contributed to a relative peace in the area.
Critics warn that the scrapping of the Niger Delta Ministry and the formation of the Regional Development Ministry should not be perceived by the Federal Government or Niger Delta stakeholders as a reduction in efforts to promote development and maintain stability in the oil-rich region. They argue that this shift represents a paradigm change designed to establish a federally-funded development agenda for all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. However, stakeholders insist that this change must not lead to the marginalization of the Niger Delta.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential rebranding of the NDDC as merely a Development Commission for the South-South region, a suggestion made by a presidential spokesperson. They assert that the NDDC’s mandate is specifically to focus on the development of oil-producing areas, encompassing nine states—Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Edo in the South-South, as well as Abia and Imo in the South-East, and Ondo in the South-West. There are plans for additional states like Anambra, Kogi, and Lagos to join the NDDC when they commence oil production in commercial quantities.
For the Ministry of Regional Development to effectively meet the needs of Nigerians, it must prioritize equity and ensure balanced development across all geopolitical zones. This includes establishing respective development commissions tailored to address the unique requirements of each zone through federal intervention.
To facilitate this, stakeholders are urging the National Assembly to expedite the process of forwarding bills to President Tinubu for the creation of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC). These commissions should complement the existing ones for the North-East, North-West, South-East, and South-West.
Additionally, there is a call for the National Assembly to adopt a vigilant approach to guarantee that funding and project execution are equitable and free from manipulation by sectional interests or corrupt officials. The guiding principle must be equity and even development for all regions.
