*Says ministry citing most projects in non-oil producing communities
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
The Edo State chapter of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has rejected the 2024 budgetary allocation by the Ministry of Niger Delta for the execution of projects in the state.
The chapter also claimed that all the projects meant for the state were all located in non-oil producing areas of the state and called on the Minister in charge of the ministry, Abubakar Momoh to reverse the situation.
A statement by the forum in Benin City yesterday after the meeting of its steering committee signed by Prof. Alfred Ehigiegba, Dr. Mike Asemota and Mr. Isaac Omokaro for the group, called on the minister and the federal government to engage in meaningful consultations with oil producing communities in Edo State to understand their needs, challenges and aspirations.
The forum also emphasised that the minister’s decision to allocate funds for projects to non-oil communities disregards the spirit and principles behind the setting up of the Niger Delta Ministry.
It said that among other goals is to alleviate the suffering and bring succour to the oil-producing communities, which are directly impacted by the oil production activities.
“We call upon the minister to provide a transparent and accountable explanation for his actions, justifying why he has chosen to prioritise non-oil communities over the oil-producing communities in Edo State.
“We urge the federal government to ensure fairness and equity in the distribution of resources, particularly in the allocation of funds for projects in Edo state. The needs and priorities of the oil-producing communities should be given due consideration,” the group said.
It therefore appealed to the minister and his ministry to correct the obvious anomalies in the distribution of projects in Edo state.
