The recent scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta by President Bola Tinubu has raised concerns about the fate of the Niger Delta region.
The Ministry was scrapped and merged with other regional development commissions, which has sparked mixed reactions across the country.
While some people see this as a necessary step towards streamlining governance, others are worried about the potential impact on the region’s development.
The South-South Youths Initiative is one of such groups that have raised fears that the region may be neglected under the new arrangement
In a statement by its National President, Comrade Saviour Oscar Imeabe, the group said that the fate of the Niger Delta region remains uncertain even though the Federal Government has announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee the development of all regions in Nigeria.
It urged the government to provide clarity on how the new Ministry will address the region’s socio-economic challenges and ensure that its resources are utilized effectively
The group said, “”It is crucial to ensure that the region’s development is prioritized and that the challenges facing the region are addressed.
It noted, “The Niger Delta region is rich in natural resources, and the Ministry was established to address the socio-economic challenges facing the region.
“The scrapping of the Ministry has raised fears that the region may be neglected and that the challenges facing the region may not be adequately addressed.
“The Federal Government’s announcement of the creation of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development did not provide to the oil rich region”.
