PANDEF urges FG to support establishment of modular refineries 

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to the Federal Government to revisit the issue of supporting the development of Modular Refineries in the region to curb criminality.

The forum added that supporting modular refineries would eliminate unwholesome, unauthorised refining of crude and also be a way of providing employment for the teeming youths.

This position is contained in a communique issued by the Forum and signed by its National Chairman, Sen. Emmanuel Ibok Essien, after an expanded National Executive Committee meeting (NEC) and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Sunday.

PANDEF also warned youth of the region to desist from unwarranted utterances capable of undermining the existing peace being enjoyed in the region.

The forum added that their utterances are capable of undermining the smooth functioning of federal agencies with direct bearing on the socio-economic development of the Region.

“We strongly caution youths of the Niger Delta Region to desist from unwarranted utterances capable of undermining the smooth functioning of Federal Agencies with direct bearing on the socio-economic development of the Region.

“Further implores the Heads of Federal MDAs relating to the Niger Delta to adopt broader, more consensual approaches in the management of such agencies to provide more widespread opportunities for youth development.

“Calls on the Federal Government to revisit the issue of supporting the development of Modular Refineries in the Niger Delta Region, to stamp out unwholesome, unauthorized refining of crude, as a way of providing employment for the teeming youths in the Niger Delta Region, and to curb criminality,” communique stated.

PANDEF in the communique also frowned at the deplorable state of critical infrastructure, particularly roads across the region, describing roads in the region as impassable and suffocating social and economic activities in the areas in addition to widespread poverty.

The forum said that it is entirely unacceptable, that the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg is being totally neglected, administration after administration.

PANDEF in the communique demanded immediate intervention works by Federal Ministry of Works, on the failed sections of the East-West Road (Eleme-Onne, Patani-Kiama-Mbiama), sections of the Port Harcourt – Aba, Benin –Auchi, Benin-Sapale-Warri, Benin-Agbor, Sapele – Agbor, Calabar – Itu and Ikot Ekpene-Aba, highways.

The forum in the communique also resolved to revisit its “16-Point demand”, for representation to President Bola Tinubu Administration.

The forum commended the National Assembly for revisiting the Bakassi issue, which is of dire interest to the people and urges the National Assembly to pursue the issue to a logical conclusion.

“The unresolved issues arising from the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon on account of the World Court Judgement and the Green Tree Agreement continue to threaten the wellbeing of the Bakassi people, and the security of the southernmost part of the Niger Delta Region,” communique stated.

The forum highlighted its commitment to engaging with all well-meaning critical stakeholders of the Region, irrespective of political inclination, in its efforts to foster unity, lasting peace, security, and the sustainable development of the Niger Delta Region, for the benefit of present and future generations.

The communique also reiterated the need for sustained cooperation among the different layers and strata of the political leadership in the region irrespective of political affiliation in order to better address the challenges of the Region.

PANDEF in its communique expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom for the warm hospitality extended to the Forum during the expanded meeting.