The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide has faulted the Federal Government over the scrapping the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and appealed for the reversal of the action.
President of INC worldwide, Prof Benjamin Okaba, made the appeal at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday.
The Federal Government had on Wednesday announced the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs which was replaced with the Ministry of Regional Development.
Okaba said it was unfortunate that the ministry was scrapped with the Niger Delta region had continued to bear to the burden of the country’s income generation.
According to him, the recent decision to dismantle the Niger Delta Ministry came as a shock to the region.
He said this was especially to the Ijaw people, who were the largest oil producing ethnic group in the country.
“This ministry was created by the late President Yar’Adua, who showed great empathy for the people of the Niger Delta and sought to fast-track the development of this historically neglected area.
“Its establishment was celebrated by Nigerians who valued peace and progress, and every administration since then has upheld its importance.
“When President Tinubu assumed office, one of his initial considerations was to dissolve this vital ministry. After widespread public outcry, he seemed to reconsider.
“Yet, the region was blindsided when this decision was later enacted under recent government reforms. This action has left many feeling betrayed and disregarded’’, he said.
He, therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the decision.
“Should this appeal go unheard, the INC will convoke a meeting of ethnic representatives across the Niger Delta to formulate a unified response to this unjust, divisive, and unacceptable decision’’, he said.
The INC President further said the move was not only frustrating and inflammatory alleging that it reflected indifference toward a population that has long fought for basic social and environmental justice.
“It is also puzzling that while new development commissions are being created for other regions, a long-established institution is being dismantled in the Niger Delta.
“We are all aware that the people in other regions would never tolerate the level of oppression currently inflicted on the Niger Delta region.
“They would have responded swiftly, possibly with affirmative action, and raised an outcry.
“The Ijaw and other Niger Delta communities remember how former President Goodluck Jonathan was treated with antagonism and a relentless campaign’’, he said. (NAN)