Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has voiced his surprise and disappointment at the federal government’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
The ministry, created during President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration, was established to address the development needs of the Niger Delta region and improve security.
Clark emphasized that there was no justifiable reason to abolish the ministry, stating that Yar’Adua had a clear vision for the region’s development, which had been pursued for years.
“It’s not just about administration; it’s about the structure and intent behind creating the ministry,” Clark said.
He criticized the government for taking over the ministry without a clear development plan or funding in place, particularly highlighting the stalled progress on the East-West Road, a key project intended to be under the ministry’s oversight but now handed over to the Ministry of Works.
Clark further expressed concerns about the lack of consultation with leaders from the Niger Delta and the South-South regions, warning that the scrapping of the ministry without a viable replacement plan could derail progress and harm the region.
He recalled agreements made during the 2014 national conference regarding increased revenue allocation and regional development, lamenting that many of these commitments had yet to be fulfilled.
The elder statesman urged the federal government to reconsider its decision and ensure that the Niger Delta’s development was not sidelined.
“The government must explain why they decided to halt critical legislation,” he added, stressing that the people of the region would not accept the diversion of resources meant for their development to other areas.
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