VP Osinbanjo Hasn’t Abandoned Devt Plan, N’Delta Group Counters PANDEF

By Omonigho Odens

A Niger Delta Group under the aegies of Delta State Civil Society Organization for Good Governance, DECGOG, today countered the Pan-Niger Development Forum, PANDEF, saying “Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo has not abandoned the Niger Delta Development Plan under the Strategic Implementation Work Plan.”

The group made the assertion in a statement signed and made available to Oasis Magazine (OM) in Warri.

In the statement signed by Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, Dr. Agboro Andrew, Mr. Voke Ighorodje, Prof. Tony Akpoborie, Chief Mariam Kadiri and Chief (Engr.) Awhana Andrew as DECGOG’s Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator, Secretary, Director Strategic Planning &Evaluation, Director of Finance and Public Relations Officer respectively.

The group, reacting to a statement purportedly credited to PANDEF wherein it said the Federal Government has abandoned the Niger Delta development plan by creating another development  called the Niger Delta New Vision said, “though the implementation process is slow in progression, the process has not been abandoned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.”

The group noted that the SIWP is a crucial part of the Niger Delta New Vision to develop the region with all stakeholders.

“We all are stakeholders. So, PANDEF’s claim that the Vice President had abandoned the SIWP for the Niger Delta New Vision clearly misses the point.

“In addition, the SIWP has always featured prominently in the presidency’s engagements with stakeholders across the region, of which PANDEF representatives have been invited or participated in.”

The group, stated that PANDEF in the past, had been involved in all discussions, workshops organised by the office of the Vice President on the implementation of the SIWP, stressing that, “it will be erroneous for them to accuse the vice president of abandoning the program.”

According to the group, “the Niger Delta New Vision workshop which held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in November was hosted by the Office of the Vice President, in continuation of its efforts towards developing the Niger Delta and maintaining peace and stability in the region, had Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media and key stakeholders as participants.

“Key stakeholders, including PANDEF, and CSOs were part of the workshop, and the SIWP implementation was a major agenda at the event.

“There were similar workshops in Warri, Delta State; and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, of which CSOs and PANDEF, among other stakeholders, were invited. The SIWP has always been an agenda at these workshops, which has increased robust engagements with key stakeholders on the FG’s Niger Delta New Vision, SIWP and development projects in the region.”

The group pointed out that the Niger Delta New Vision was birthed after the visit of the Vice President the region in 2017, adding that it is aimed at developing the region.
The group said further: “The Niger Delta New Vision, which is aimed at developing the region, was framed after the Vice President’s visits to the region in 2017. Prior to the VP’s visit, in November 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari met with PANDEF leaders so as to address concerns in the region. Also, in 2017, to address issues of socio-economic instability in the Niger Delta, an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Vice President was set up.”

“It is baffling and misleading for PANDEF to say the SIWP has been abandoned when it is surely on the front burner of discourse by the Presidency in its engagement with stakeholders on its implementation going forward.

“The SIWP consists of short-term, medium and long-term projects with core focus on 13 development strategic objectives for the region as contained in the Federal Government’s 20-point Agenda and PANDEF’s 16-point Agenda.”

The group also pledged its unalloyed support to the Federal Government’s process to implement the development of the region which includes the take-off of the Maritime University, the commencement of the on-going Ogoni clean-up, establishment of modular refineries and other developmental projects.

“From the ongoing projects under the New Vision, we believe that President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo remain fully committed to developing the region.”
The group however stressed the need for adequate funding of projects and budget appropriations to the relevant government agencies, as this is crucial to the implementation of the SIWP.

While lauding President, Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo for their political will to implement policies that will lead to the development of the Niger Delta region, the group called on stakeholders to support the efforts of the present administration to develop the area through the Niger Delta New Vision and SIWP, which is a demonstration of commitment of the federal government.

“We urge PANDEF and other stakeholders in the region to support the Federal Government’s efforts as we all join hands to develop our dear Niger Region and Nation.