The National Coordinator of Niger Delta Empowerment and Economic Network (NEED), Comrade Classics Oke Oteri has vehemently opposed the Federal Government decision to transfer the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Ministry of Regional Development, says the move jeopardizes regional autonomy, undermines localized governance and the network’s advocacy for self-determination.

Comrade Oteri stressed that Regional autonomy is vital to addressing the Niger Delta’s unique challenges:such as it’s environmental degradation, poverty and inequality.

He noted that the Ministry of Niger Delta Development was established to tackle issues of economic empowerment, infrastructural development and environmental management.

According to the NEED National Coordinator “Our major concern is that it would reduced Decision-Making Power: Threatens localized governance and regional autonomy.environmental Degradation*: Continued pollution and environmental damage from oil exploration.

– *Economic Disempowerment*: Local communities losing economic benefits and opportunities.

Comrade Oteri urged Senate and the House of Representatives members to treat the matter with urgency, stressing that eversing the transfer decision would ensure the Ministry of Niger Delta Development continues its regional development mandate.

The group re-echoed the importance of localized governance, advocating for the federal government to reconsider its decision in order to prevent further deprivation of the Niger Delta people.

The Rivers State Police Command has said that all eight passengers inside the helicopter crash that occurred in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday, may have died.

Three persons were confirmed dead in earlier reports.

This was disclosed in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, noting that all the passengers may have lost their lives in the tragic incident.

The update comes after President Bola Tinubu ordered an intensified search, and directed the military to join search for the passengers involved in the crash.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at approximately 11 am.

“Mr Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, reported to the Command that a helicopter with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), belonging to East Wing Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt. The flight was bound for Nuim Antan OML123 fields, carrying two crew members and six passengers.

“Unfortunately, at about 11 am, the helicopter reportedly ditched into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO. All eight persons onboard are feared dead.

“The Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command is cooperating with other agencies to recover the aircraft and the occupants.

“The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN confirmed the incident in a Press release.

Senators on Thursday bicker on source of funding for the various Zonal Development Commissions created by the Senate along with the House of Representatives .

This is as it struck out some provisions of section 23 of their establishment bills , conferring operational immunity on board and executives of the commissions .

Division on approval of source of funding recommended for the commission among Senators arose during clause by clause consideration of the South – South Development Commission Establishment bill 2024 in plenary Thursday which is used as operational and structural template for the other commissions .

Senate Committee on Special Duties had in its report , recommended that 15% of Statutory allocations of member States in a commission , should be used to fund the commission by the federal government .

But some Senators like Senator Yahaya Abdullahi ( PDP Kebbi North ) , Wasiu Eshinlokun ( APC Lagos East ) , Seriake Dickson ( PDP Bayelsa West ) etc , raised observations on the recommendation .

Specifically , Senator Yahaya Abdullahi , said the provision would lead to litigation against the federal government by the State government as no state would like its statutory allocation to be tampered with in the process of funding a zonal development commission .

” Mr President , distinguished colleagues , the 15% of statutory allocations of member States , recommended for funding of their zonal development commissions , would be litigated against by some state government”, he said .

In a bid to quickly correct the meaning read into the 15% statutory allocation of the State by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi and many other Senators who indicated interest to comment , the Deputy President of the Senate , Barau Jibrin, quickly rose to correct their impression .

Senator Barau in his explanation told the Senate that the 15% Statutory allocation of member states for funding of their zonal development commission , would not entail any deduction from their statutory allocation .

” Mr President , distinguished colleagues , the 15% of Statutory allocation of member states , recommended for funding of Zonal Development Commissions by the federal government, is not about deduction at all .

” What is recommended as contained in the report presented to us by the committee on Special duties and being considered by the Senate now , is that 15% of statutory allocation of member states in a zonal development commission would by way of calculation by the federal government, used to fund the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund .

” Each state has monthly statutory allocation, 15 % of which as contained in this report being considered, will be calculated by the federal government and removed from the consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their Development Commission .

Despite Barau’s explanation, many of the Senators still not convinced, indicated their interest to speak , but prevented from doing so by the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio who said the provision was in order as constitutionally supported .

” We don’t need to be debating on whether 15% statutory allocation of member states in a commission would be deducted or not in view of provisions of section 162 ( subsection 4) of 1999 constitution which empowers the National Assembly to appropriate from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or Federation Account .

” 15 % of statutory allocation of member states , has been recommended by the Senate and by extension , National Assembly , for funding of their zonal development commission by the federal government, anybody who want to go court over that may do so “, he said .

He consequently put the question on adoption of the provision for voice votes to Senators and ruled that the ayes have it .

In his remarks after the passage of the consolidated bills , Akpabio thanked the Senators for spending several hours on final consideration and amendment of the Zonal Development Commission which according to him , would serve as bedrock for the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.

The bills cosidered and passsed are the South – South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, North West Development Commission Act ( Amendment) Bill 2024, South East Development Commission Act ( Amendment) Bill 2024 apart from the South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 earlier passed.