Elder statesman Edwin Clark firmly opposes any plans to scrap the Niger Delta Ministry, vowing to protect the region’s interests and ensure continued development efforts. Learn more about his stance on the issue.
Chief Edwin Clark, the elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Executive Council’s decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
In a phone interview on Wednesday, Clark characterized the action as unwarranted and detrimental to the area’s development initiatives.
President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently announced that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has been dissolved, with its functions now being integrated into a newly established entity called the Ministry of Regional Development.
Clark was surprised by the decision and emphasized that the ministry had been established by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua to tackle security challenges and promote development in the region.
“What I have observed so far is that there is no justification for abolishing it. Yar’Adua established the ministry with a clear goal: to tackle the security issues in the Niger Delta and promote development in that region. We’ve been operating our commission for some time now,” he remarked.
He contended that the ministry was crucial for addressing the specific needs of the Niger Delta, beyond mere administrative functions.
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Clark also criticized the sluggish advancement of significant infrastructure projects, especially the East-West Road. This project had been handed over to the Ministry of Works but saw little real progress under the supervision of the Niger Delta Ministry.
“Why assume control of a ministry that lacks development plans, funding, or concrete actions? The East-West Road exemplifies this issue; it’s supposed to be managed by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs but has been reverted back to the Ministry of Works,” he complained.
Clark cautioned that without focused initiatives, the federal government could overlook the development of the Niger Delta region. He also recalled conversations from the 2014 National Conference that suggested raising revenue allocations for oil-producing regions from 13% to 18%, with further funds designated for areas impacted by conflict.
He recalled that at the national conference in 2014, it was initially decided to raise the revenue allocation to regions from 13% to 25%. However, they ultimately agreed on an increase to only 18%, which sparked disagreements and further discussions about establishing a separate fund for development following Boko Haram.
The senior statesman wrapped up his remarks by warning that dissolving the ministry might lead to unrest, stating, “We will not permit its dismantling. The government cannot utilize resources from the South-South for developing other regions while ignoring the Niger Delta.”
