ANN-KIO BRIGGS CRITICIZES SCRAPPING OF MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA- "A MAJOR MISTAKE, " SHE SAYS. (PHOTO).
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Ann-Kio Briggs Criticizes Scrapping of Ministry of Niger Delta – "A Major Mistake," She Says
Human rights activist Ann-Kio Briggs has condemned President Bola Tinubu's decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta.
According to earlier reports, President Tinubu abolished the Ministry of Niger Delta in October.
A new Ministry of Regional Development was created to manage all development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), South-West Development Commission, North-West Development Commission, North-East Development Commission, and the South-East Development Commission.
Briggs, speaking on Channels TV on Friday, expressed her disagreement with the dissolution of the Ministry of Niger Delta, calling it a misguided move.
She emphasized that the Ministry was established for a specific purpose.
"The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late President Umaru Yar'Adua for a reason," she said. "It wasn’t just created for nothing. So, its removal seems to be based on advice given to the President. If he did this on his own, that would be a huge mistake."
Briggs also questioned the practical implications of the new Ministry of Regional Development, particularly regarding funding. "Who is going to finance the commissions?" she asked. "Is it going to be the regions, since it's now called the Regional Development Ministry? Will it be the states in those regions? And what do we mean by 'regions'—are we returning to regionalism?"
She pointed out the confusion surrounding the use of the term "regions" in a country that currently operates based on geopolitical zones. "If we are moving toward regionalism, we need to discuss it. The President can’t make such decisions alone; restructuring Nigeria requires broader consultation and input from all Nigerians."
Finally, Briggs criticized the NDDC, likening it to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for corrupt politicians.
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