Odeli offers Tinubu strategies to avoid renewed mass agitation in the Niger Delta

Renowned Public Affairs Commentator and community development proponent, David Odeli, has offered strategies to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on how to avoid renewed mass agitation in the oil and gas-rich Niger Delta.

Odeli, who described Niger Delta as Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone, stated that the natural resources in the region, must translate into massive and sustainable development for future generations.

Whilst calling on President Tinubu to carefully handle developmental issues in the Niger Delta with extreme caution, he said it was high time President Tinubu direct the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to implement the Niger Delta Master Plan in full and also instruct the Commission to resume work on the Koko-Ogheye-Lekki Road, “which was listed as one of the Commission's legacy projects since its inception many years ago.”

He stated: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be extremely careful in handling developmental issues in the Niger Delta, given the region's long history of marginalization by successive administrations.

David Odeli

“The questions of fiscal federalism, decentralization of the Nigerian state for the benefit of all thirty-six states, and the Minority Protection Act, must be given serious consideration. This should include fast-tracking the State Police Reform Bill, to effectively tackle insecurity across the country.

“It is high time President Tinubu directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to implement the Niger Delta Master Plan in full. He should also direct the NDDC to resume work on the Koko-Ogheye-Lekki Road, which was listed as one of the Commission's legacy projects since its inception many years ago.

“The Niger Delta is Nigeria's exclusive economic zone. Its natural resources must translate into massive, sustainable development for future generations, to avoid a drift into renewed mass agitation against the Nigerian state.

“President Tinubu should also recognize the potential of the maritime and blue economy by introducing a marine Agricultural policy modelled after the Shehu Shagari’s Green Revolution. Such a policy would provide massive employment for youths and maritime professionals.

“The Minister of Works, David Umahi, should be directed to maintain the original plan for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, while also completing the long-abandoned Warri-Port Harcourt section of the East-West Road, the Lagos-Benin-Warri Expressway, and the Benin-Asaba Expressway.”

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