- Momoh praised Tinubu’s vision behind the restructuring.
- He described the move as a forward-thinking move to enhance regional development coordination across Nigeria.
Abubakar Momoh, minister of Niger Delta development, says the ministry’s scrapping is only a name change.
Momoh said that the ministry’s scrapping is to enhance regional development coordination.
On Wednesday, the federal executive council (FEC) scrapped the ministry of Niger Delta and the ministry of sports development.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy, said the decision was made during the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
A newly established ministry of regional development is expected to oversee all the regional development commissions.
The commissions include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), and North East Development Commission (NEDC).
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Momoh assured that the adjustment is purely administrative and does not diminish the focus on Niger Delta development.
Momoh said the restructuring aims to establish a centralized oversight system for the increasing regional development commissions nationwide.
“For our people in the Niger Delta region, I would like them to know that this has not removed anything from them,” Momoh said.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is still very much in place under the Ministry of Regional Development, and all other such agencies remain intact.
“All the structures and everything about the Niger Delta remains. It’s just a change of nomenclature and, of course, expansion of activities of the ministry.”
Momoh lauded Tinubu’s vision behind the restructuring, describing it as a “forward-thinking move” to enhance regional development coordination across the country.