By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF has called on the Federal Government to prioritise infrastructure development in the South-South region, particularly the rehabilitation and expansion of its deteriorating road network.
According to PANDEF, the poor state of roads across the Niger Delta had reached a level that requires urgent federal intervention.
The forum made the call in a statement signed on Monday by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
PANDEF said improved road infrastructure was critical to unlocking the economic potential of the Niger Delta, enhancing connectivity among communities and supporting development across the six South-South states.
The group also acknowledged the contributions of the region’s governors to infrastructure development, human welfare and social development, despite the difficult terrain and environmental challenges confronting many communities.
“PANDEF furthermore salutes with pride that, despite its daunting environmental challenges, as most parts of the six states are waterlogged, the South-South, led by our Governors, continues to play sterling roles in infrastructural development as well as investment in human welfare and social development,” Igali said.
The forum also commended intervention agencies operating in the region, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority and the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, for their contributions to development.
However, PANDEF stressed that the Federal Government must do more to address the infrastructure deficit in the Niger Delta.
“We take the opportunity to remind the Federal Government to continue to pay greater attention to the state of infrastructure in the Niger Delta, especially the road network, which has reached a proportion of national emergency,” the forum said.
Beyond roads, PANDEF urged the government to give greater attention to environmental remediation in the region, particularly the impact of decades of oil pollution and gas flaring.
The forum said environmental degradation remained a major development challenge that must be addressed alongside infrastructure deficits to improve living conditions and promote sustainable development in the region.
PANDEF congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary and called for continued peace and development across the country.
It also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the progress and unity of the nation, while calling for greater government attention to the development needs of the Niger Delta.
