Ijaw council condemns scrapping of Niger Delta Ministry, urges Tinubu to reverse decision

• The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) disclosed its opposition to President Tinubu's dissolution of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs
• IYC Secretary-General Maobuye Nangi Obu emphasised the need for enhanced development programs rather than dismantling existing structures
• The council also raised concerns about the impact on regional development and calls for the ministry's reestablishment with a distinct mandate

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has expressed strong opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, deeming the move unacceptable to the people of the oil-rich region. 

In a statement released on Friday, November 1, IYC Secretary-General Maobuye Nangi Obu urged the president to reconsider this decision, emphasising its potential negative impact on regional development and the broader economic stability of the nation.

Obu argued that instead of dismantling vital development-focused structures, the Niger Delta requires enhanced programs, projects, ministries, and intervention agencies tailored to its unique challenges. 

He suggested that if the ministry's functions were overlapping, it should have been reformed rather than disbanded entirely.

“There is no justification whatsoever to dismantle structures established for Niger Delta development. If an interventionist agency is underperforming, we expect the federal government to reform it to better address our region’s unique needs,” Obu stated.

He highlighted ongoing issues such as difficult terrain and environmental degradation from oil exploitation, which has historically provided resources for projects in other parts of Nigeria. 

Obu asserted that the Niger Delta should be treated as a “special territory” deserving of multiple federal interventions.

“We expect President Tinubu, who understands our challenges, to appreciate the need for the Niger Delta Ministry rather than endorsing its removal,” he added. 

He called for the ministry’s reestablishment with a distinct mandate, alongside the creation of additional programs to tackle the myriad issues affecting development in the region.

Obu also raised concerns about a perceived trend of undermining the Niger Delta’s special status by establishing similar development agencies in regions facing different challenges. 

He questioned the rationale behind the National Assembly and the Presidency's recent approval of development agencies modelled after the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for other regions, suggesting this could dilute the Niger Delta's unique position.

However, he commended the Senate, particularly senators from the Niger Delta, including former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, for their support in passing the South-South Development Commission Bill. 

Obu expressed hope that President Tinubu would promptly sign the bill into law to help address the developmental gaps and marginalisation resulting from the creation of similar commissions in other regions.

Nigeria's Petroleum minister confirms when fuel supplies will normalise

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, said that Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, would be available by the weekend.

The minister stated this following a meeting on Thursday, September 5, at the State House with the Vice President, Kahim Shettima, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, and the Executive Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mugo Okuoha.