KEY POINTS
- In a clarification, the Federal Government said the Niger Delta Ministry was not scrapped but rather renamed and now operates as the Ministry of Regional Development.
- Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark and other Niger Delta leaders however kicked against it, describing the government’s move as a plan to use South South resources for other zones.
- The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is still in place as the rechristened ministry, Minister Abubakar Momoh has assured the region.
Reactions have trailed the Federal Government’s decision to rename the Ministry of Niger Delta Development as the Ministry of Regional Development.
But with many Niger Delta leaders, including Chief Edwin Clark, vehemently opposing the change, the government insists the change is merely a renaming and expansion of responsibilities.
Niger Delta Ministry not scrapped, renaming explained by government
The new one after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting said the Niger Delta Ministry was not scrapped. But rather renamed and given additional regional development commissions to oversee.
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is intact, and that is why it has gone under the new ministry — Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh.
Niger Delta leaders reject renaming, seek consultation
But those assurances have come in for criticism from Niger Delta leaders and even from one of Nigeria’s most prominent elder statesmen, Chief Edwin Clark.
Clark noted that the ministry was created in its present form to help meet developmental needs in the region. He accused the government of using South South resources to help the rest of the nation.
Such significant changes, it has been suggested, should come following more consultation with stakeholders.
According to Vanguard, the renaming of the ministry has led to a discussion about the future of development in the Niger Delta, with many worried that the move will impact on regional projects.
