The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has felicitated with the Federal Government and Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, while calling for greater federal attention to infrastructure and environmental challenges in the South-South.
In a statement made available to Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters, PANDEF congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, South-South governors, traditional and religious leaders, youths and the people of the region.
The Forum urged the Federal Government to prioritise road infrastructure and environmental remediation, particularly in view of decades of oil pollution and gas flaring.
PANDEF also acknowledged the contributions of the NDDC, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority and Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to development in the region.
The statement was signed by Amb. Godknows B. Igali, National Chairman, PANDEF.
Below is the full press Statement:
PRESS STATEMENT
PANDEF SENDS SIXTY-SIX HEARTY CHEERS TO NIGERIA AND CALLS FOR GREATER ATTENTION ON SOUTH-SOUTH INFRASTRUCTURE
On the occasion of the celebration of the country’s 66th independence anniversary, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) sends hearty felicitations to Mr. President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government and all the people of Nigeria for this landmark celebration. More importantly, PANDEF salutes the Governors of the South-South as well as the political leadership, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths, and the entire people for the opportunity to mark the reign of peace and progress, in particular in our region.
2. PANDEF furthermore salutes with pride, that despite its daunting environmental challenges, as most parts of the six states are water logged, the South-South led by our Governors continues to play sterling roles in infrastructural development as well investment in human welfare and social development. PANDEF also appreciates the developmental efforts contributed by intervention agencies in the area such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, and the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). We take the opportunity to remind the Federal Government to continue to pay greater attention to the state of infrastructure in the Niger Delta, especially the road network which has reached a proportion of national emergency. Equally, the question of environmental remediation which the area has had to bear for 70 years of oil pollution and gas flaring needs to be placed on the front burner.
3. We use the opportunity to call on all Nigerians to pray assiduously for the continued peace and progress of Nigeria. As the word of God says in the Holy Bible, Psalm 121 vs. 1 “unless the lord build the house, its builders labour in vain”.
4. Once more, we wish the entire country great celebrations, peace and progress in the hands of Almighty God.
Amb. Godknows B. Igali
National Chairman