By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has asked governors of the region to urgently introduce free and compulsory education from primary to tertiary levels in their respective states.
This was contained in a communique PANDEF issued over the weekend after its special general assembly in Port Harcourt.
The communique was signed by King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Godknows B. Igali, National Chairman; Hon Godwin Okotie, Ag. National Secretary; and Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Christopher Ominimini, National Spokesman.
PANDEF said, “Education is the primary driver of modernisation and development. To this end, the Niger Delta States must redouble efforts to invest in quality and relevant education. This can be achieved through partnerships with private investors.
“PANDEF calls on the State Governments to guarantee tuition-free education at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The Region should aim at an average of one tertiary institution in the 185 local government areas.
“The minimum annual budget support in all the states of the Niger Delta should be 25% in line with the template recommended by UNESCO.”
The Assembly condemned the federal government’s neglect of strategic infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
It listed some of them, including roads like the East-West Highway and the seven unoperated seaports in the area.
The communique read, “To remedy the situation, the Assembly calls on the Federal Government to repair all failed roads, complete the East-West Highway, commence the building of the Calabar-Lagos railway, and set up maritime mass transit system for the riverine areas of the Niger Delta.”
The Assembly lamented the succeeding policies of the federal government that exclude Niger Delta investors from effective participation in the oil and gas industry located on their land.
PANDEF said, “It was observed that Niger Delta businesses do not enjoy a fair share of participation, neither own major oil blocs nor operate facilities in 60 years of the industry.
“This notwithstanding, the Assembly applauded the initiative of the African oil-producing nations to establish the Energy Bank, which is headquartered in Nigeria, to finance more drilling, mining, refining, and marketing of our abundant hydrocarbon deposits for sustainable economic development.
“PANDEF calls on the federal government to show greater commitment to ensuring fairness in bringing the legal regime in the oil and gas sector, regarding the participation of host communities, to par with the solid mineral sector.
“Assembly urges Niger Delta investors to take advantage of the likely opportunities of the Energy Bank, especially in establishing modular and minor refineries as well as develop green and clean energy potentials in furtherance of the Global Climate Change programmes.”
PANDEF noted with grave concern the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta, which was established to address specific issues bordering on the peculiar circumstances of the Niger Delta, its damaged environment, and its overall importance to the national economy.
