Niger Delta forum stresses protection of oil facilities in region

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has said it will work with the Federal Government to bring peace and ensure the protection of oil facilities in the region.

Representatives of the umbrella body for the development of the Niger Delta made the pledge the meeting of the Inter-Ministerial/Agency Technical Working Group for the Development of the Niger Delta held at the Boardroom of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The Working Group, which was created during Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s peace shuttles to the Niger Delta states, has its key membership drawn from three Federal ministries – Niger Delta Affairs, Environment, Works, and the Amnesty Office and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Group is charged with the responsibility of working with state governments, development partners, oil companies and other stakeholders, which include PANDEF, to come up with a concerted plan, with timelines to spearhead the development of the long neglected region.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on Niger Delta Affairs, Charles Achodo, said the meeting between the Working Group and PANDEF was convened for both sides to adopt a common work plan for developing the Niger Delta. This is to ensure that there were no duplication of projects aimed at bringing progress to the region as has been the case.

He said the task now at hand is for the Group to come up with a clear road map, which assigns clear responsibility and accountability to specific agencies, persons, corporate entities or groups and with clear timelines for deliverables to be worked out.