The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has rejected the Arewa Consultative Forum’s claims about Northern Nigeria’s impoverishment, asserting that only the Niger Delta experiences genuine marginalization. Chief Christopher Ominimini highlights environmental degradation and disparity in resource management as key issues, urging the federal government to ensure justice and transparency in the oil industry, which significantly impacts local communities in the Niger Delta.
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has strongly countered claims made by the Arewa Consultative Forum regarding economic marginalization in Northern Nigeria, asserting that only the Niger Delta region has endured systemic underdevelopment and poverty. In a statement released by Chief Christopher Ominimini, the National Spokesman for PANDEF, he highlighted that while oil wealth from the Niger Delta significantly fuels Nigeria’s economy, the local populace has not experienced its benefits.
More than fifty years of oil exploration in the region have led to severe environmental degradation, affecting agriculture and livelihoods. Ominimini emphasized the injustice wherein the Niger Delta’s oil revenues benefit the federal government, while other regions retain revenue from their resources. He contrasted this with the situation in the North, where minerals such as gold are mined primarily for local and foreign profit, excluding national benefit.
“Our resources feed the nation, while resources from other geopolitical zones, including the North, are kept for their own use and personal gain,” he remarked. Ominimini raised pertinent questions about the disparate treatment of resources across Nigeria and linked existing socio-economic unrest in the North to these injustices. He urged the federal government to establish a legal framework for artisanal miners, which could facilitate job creation and reduce corruption, particularly amid Nigeria’s growing import dependency for refined products.
While addressing the systemic issues facing the Niger Delta, Ominimini criticized the lack of transparency in the oil sector, where local communities remain unaware of the volume of oil being extracted. He contended, “The Nigerian state is wicked to the Niger Delta Region,” accusing the federal authorities of prioritizing penalties over remedial action for environmental damage, further compounding local hardships and contributing to a deteriorating quality of life.
Ominimini concluded his statements by urging a reassessment of the marginalization narrative in Nigeria, affirming that the true impoverishment lies within the Niger Delta. Reinforcing the call for justice, he stated, “PANDEF believes that justice must be holistic, and the most impoverished people in Nigeria are those of the Niger Delta. This must be addressed without delay.”
The Niger Delta region of Nigeria, rich in resources, particularly oil, has faced significant exploitation over decades, leading to widespread environmental degradation and poverty among its inhabitants. Despite contributing substantially to the national economy through oil production, local residents experience minimal development and inadequate compensation. The discussion surrounding resource control and equitable distribution has reignited debates on regional imbalance and government responsibility in addressing historical injustices faced by the Niger Delta, particularly in the context of statements made by other regional groups concerning economic conditions.
In conclusion, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum asserts that the Niger Delta region uniquely experiences marginalization and poverty despite its substantial contributions to Nigeria’s economy. Chief Christopher Ominimini’s statements highlight systemic injustices regarding resource control and usage in Nigeria, particularly contrasting the treatment of oil wealth with other regional resources. A call for equitable treatment and a legal framework for local resource management underscores the urgency for the federal government’s intervention in uplifting the Niger Delta and addressing long-standing grievances.
Original Source: punchng.com
