Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu met with a delegation of traditional rulers from the South-South region on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The monarchs presented a list of demands to the president, seeking his intervention in the poor state of infrastructure and development in the oil-rich region.

The South-South Monarch Forum, led by the Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers, Major General Felix Mujakpiruo, lamented that the region produces the wealth of the nation but has nothing to show for it. They cited the abandoned East-West Road, the dilapidated roads linking the region to other parts of the country, the neglected ports, and the lack of railway connectivity as some of the pressing issues affecting the region.

The monarchs also expressed their concern over the environmental degradation and insecurity caused by oil exploration and exploitation, as well as the marginalization of the region in the distribution of national resources and appointments. They urged the president to address these challenges and ensure that the region enjoys its fair share of the national cake.

President Tinubu, who received the monarchs warmly, assured them that he would look into their requests and do the needful. He said he was committed to the development and peace of the region and appreciated the role of the traditional rulers in maintaining stability and harmony among their people.

The president also commended the efforts of the communities in the region in curbing oil theft and vandalism, which he said had reduced significantly. He, however, hinted that the government would investigate the possibility of professional stealing by some unscrupulous elements in the oil sector, who might be diverting the oil revenue and blaming it on the youths of the region.

The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, who accompanied the delegation, described the meeting as a huge success. Furthermore, He said the engagement of the monarchs was crucial, as they were the custodians of the peace and culture of the region. He said the government would continue to work with them to ensure the development and security of the region.

The meeting came barely 24 hours after a Warri Chief and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Ayiri Emami, declared that fighting criminality in the Niger Delta without putting in place infrastructure in the region would not achieve any results. He also called for the dredging of the Koko and Warri ports, and the completion of the road leading from Warri to Escravos.

The South-South region, which comprises six states, is the main source of Nigeria’s oil and gas revenue, accounting for about 90% of the country’s export earnings. However, the region has suffered from decades of neglect, underdevelopment, and environmental degradation, leading to widespread discontent and agitation among its people.

The meeting between the president and the monarchs is seen as a positive step towards addressing the grievances of the region and fostering a better relationship between the federal government and the region.

Source: Vanguard