Niger Delta stakeholders want definite timeline for relocation of oil firms’ headquarters

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has said that the statement that oil companies should relocate to their areas of operation should translate into a policy direction with a definite timeline of implementation.

The forum also called on the Federal Government to review the 2017 budget to reflect the contribution of Niger Delta region to the nation’s economy through substantial allocation of funds for development.

The forum made this known in a communiqué at the end of PANDEF general assembly held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

PANDEF maintained that the 2017 budget in its current form as proposed is lopsided and skewed against the region.

The meeting, which had in attendance the leader of the forum Chief Edwin Clark, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, King Alfred Diette-Spiff and former military governor, member of central working committee and PANDEF leader in Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) reaffirm its prescription of dialogue as the only way for forward movement.

Presenting the communiqué, the leader of PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, said the most urgent issues in Nigeria now is the issue of restructuring of political and economic systems to guarantee a just federation, based on equity and 100 per cent ownership of resources by the federating units revealed that the visit of the Vice President (then acting President) to Niger Delta region is a clear demonstration of a new pathway to sustainable engagement in the region and worthy of commendation.

The forum maintained that the appointment of Directors into the NNPC where only the minister of state, who is a statutory member of the board is the only person representing the region, does not augur well for equitable and fair representation in line with national character.

The general assembly commended the candid pronouncement of the Vice President on some strategic matters, such as: Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, the relocation of Heads offices of oil companies to the Niger Delta, regularization of local refineries into modular and more viable refineries and award of pipeline surveillance contract to local and host communities among others.

PANDEF leader in Akwa Ibom State and member of the Central Working Committee, Nkanga said the meeting was to ensure more peace in Niger Delta region as the federal government fulfills its promises to the region.