By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has tabled three demands before the Federal Government. The demands are contained in the New Year Message of the National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali.

Igali in a statement issued on Tuesday demanded early accent of the bill establishing South-South Development Commission.

He also demanded definite measurable policies, programs and steps to effect environmental remediation beginning with the comprehensive clean-up of the much-polluted Niger Delta ecosystem.

According to Igali, he demanded immediate declaration of a state of emergency over the deplorable state of the federal highway network in the region and gross under representation of qualified sons and daughters of Niger Delta in critical top management positions in NNPCL.

The statement reads: ?Nevertheless, we also take pride in the significant strides made toward progress, largely due to the tireless efforts of our leaders, elder statesmen and grassroots organizations, who continue to make deep personal sacrifices for the progress of our region.

?We especially commend the outstanding commitment and leadership provided by our elected officials , beginning with our six state Governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers and including our National Assembly members ably led by the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, not forgetting our State Assemblies across the region.

?Their collective unwavering dedication to fostering economic, social, and infrastructural development in the South-South zone is worthy of recognition.

?Also worthy of due recognition is the impressive performance of the current Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) team, under the capable leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, with the successful commissioning of such highly impactful projects as the community wide solar-powered street lighting initiative spread across all the NDDC States.

?By any measure, the region has seen remarkable progress, particularly in the face of daunting challenges like the waterlogged terrain, frequent flooding, and unpredictable weather patterns that affect many of our developmental efforts.

?As we look ahead to 2025, the prospects for the Niger Delta are filled with promise and opportunities for greater peace and security, enhanced economic development, and political stability.

?However, it is essential that we do not rest on our oars because in spite of progress made, there remains much work to be done to bring the quality of life of the average Niger Deltan in line with the level of natural resources we are blessed with.

?Our region, despite contributing significantly to the nation?s wealth, continues to struggle at the very bottom of most of the recognized development indices and it Is now time for us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the benefits of democracy and good governance get to every corner of our region.

?It is PANDEF ?s top agenda to work tirelessly with our Stakeholders to elevate the standard of living of our people, especially in our rural areas, most of which bear the brunt of disastrous environmental consequences of oil and gas extraction activities in the region.

?It is noteworthy that beyond oil and gas, we are fortunate to be blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile soil, and ideal climatic conditions conducive to large-scale agricultural production.

?Additionally, our extensive coast & shore lines present immense potentials to underpin a globally competitive blue-economy industry covering areas such as fisheries, silicon from river sand, sea salt industries, mining of rare coral deposits, mangrove roots for water desalination, water-based mud for drilling operations, miles of sandy waterfront for tourism beaches, marine sports & coastal transportation, to mention a few.

?To realize these lofty goals will require the collective effort of all stakeholders up and down the leadership chain, with a very effective cross-sector collaboration from our National Assembly members to our state governors and the local governments, including the intervention agencies.

?PANDEF strongly believes that bringing all the stakeholders under the aegis of a single point of coordination such as the PANDEF and the BRACED Commission will greatly facilitate the actualization of this lofty desire.

?Furthermore, our sons and daughters in the private sector, many of whom are actually in leadership roles in the financial sector as well as in the communication sector, and the mass media, etc have a substantial role to play in providing the necessary technical and commercial advisory services as well as mobilize local funding and foreign direct investment partners to promote and support qualified projects.

?We must also focus on strengthening our presence in the emerging opportunities in the oil and gas sector in our region, which holds considerable potential for economic growth.

?Through the collaborative efforts of our elders, community leaders, women, and youth, we have ensured a steady increase in oil production and are committed to maintaining and exceeding the set targets in the years to come.

?However, there are pressing issues that require immediate attention. We therefore earnestly call on Mr. President to seriously consider and address the following concerns of the region:

?It needs restating that the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the apex socio-political body of the South South remains committed to advocating for the collective interests of the Niger Delta people.?

PANDEF further stated that its committed to promote and support all initiatives aimed at not just the economic development of the region but also equally important, to work with similar regional bodies for the unity, harmony and prosperity of the country.

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