By Adenike Lawal
His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, has condemned the persistent neglect of the Niger Delta, despite the region’s six-decade-long contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking in Yenagoa during a visit by PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, and his executive team, King Dakolo urged the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), to adopt a new strategy to drive development and end the exploitation of the region’s resources without commensurate benefits.
He also called for the creation of a Riverine Marine Safety Corps, modeled after the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to enhance security and emergency response in the waterways-dependent communities of the Niger Delta.
Ambassador Igali, in response, reaffirmed PANDEF’s commitment to regional unity, economic development, and environmental restoration, emphasizing the need for strategic investments in agriculture and the protection of the Niger Delta’s ecological integrity.
He also opposed the proposed merger of the NDDC with the Ministry of Regional Development, advocating instead for its autonomy and calling on President Bola Tinubu to sign the South-South Development Commission Bill into law.
PANDEF vowed to continue pushing for a fair share of development for the Niger Delta, ensuring that the region’s vast contributions to Nigeria’s economy are recognized and rewarded.
