'The Ministry Of Niger Delta Affairs Was The Initiative Of President Umaru Yar'adua' – Sen Emmanuel Essien

According to Senator Emmanuel Essien, the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Development Forum, the establishment of the Niger Delta ministry was originally proposed by the late President Umaru Musa Yaradua.

During an interview with Arise TV news, Senator Essien explained that President Yaradua had identified the challenges affecting crude oil production in the Niger Delta region. He asserted that the proposed scrapping of the ministry by the administration led by Tinubu would not be accepted by the Niger Delta.

Senator Essien emphasized that the Niger Delta community is opposed to the elimination of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. He highlighted that President Umaru Yaradua took the initiative to establish this ministry due to the prevailing issues within the Niger Delta.

At the time, crude oil production had significantly dropped to less than 800,000 barrels per day, contrasting with the OPEC allocation of 2.5 million barrels. In response to this situation, the decision to create the ministry was reached to address the challenges and concerns in the region.

Bubutain (
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