PANDEF wants next NNPCL GCEO appointed from South-South

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has canvassed that the next Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) should be appointed from the South-South geopolitical zone.

The apex socio-political umbrella body of the Niger Delta people said the region has fed and sustained the nation’s economy for over 60 years, yet has nothing to show for it.

The national chairman of PANDEF, Amb. Godknows Igali, said the region should be regarded and respected considering its huge contributions to the nation.

He stated this on Sunday when he led the executive members of PANDEF on a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa Traditional Council of Chiefs in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to intimate the royal fathers about the activities of the new executives and to receive their royal blessings.

The PANDEF chairman described the Niger Delta people as “no trouble makers” but maintained that companies operating in the region must respect the people, whether they are offshore or onshore.

He reiterated the need for the speedy cleanup of the devastated environments, which he noted may take up to 30 years to achieve because of the high level of devastation.

The national chairman of PANDEF further stated that the region needs to invest in agriculture.

He likened the Niger Delta’s soil to that of Vietnam, which, when utilised, led to huge investments in the cultivation of rice. He stressed that Niger Deltans can feed themselves if given the necessary support.

He added, “The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) can stand alone instead of being merged under the Ministry of Regional Development because it is an interventionist agency that deals with derivation. We have written and addressed a memo to President Bola Tinubu regarding his signing into law, without delay, the South-South Development Commission bill as passed by the National Assembly.”

In a statement made available to newsmen by the PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the national chairman emphasized the need to sustain the unity PANDEF has brought to the region, saying that while there are various languages, the Niger Delta now speaks with one voice through PANDEF.

In their remarks, the chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, urged the PANDEF executives to develop a new strategy capable of bringing development to the region and preventing others from taking undue advantage of Niger Deltans.

He stressed that the Igali-led executives are people with high scores capable of making a difference to attract development to the region.
The royal father called on the federal government to establish the Riverine Marine Safety Corps for the security of the riverine people of the Niger Delta.

The monarch, however, expressed happiness over the visit of PANDEF national executives.