•Tinubu with Niger Delta monarchs
Traditional rulers have called for constitutional roles to ensure peace sustainability and progressive development in the Niger Delta region.
The monarchs, under the aegis of Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities of Niger Delta (TROMPCON), Delta State chapter, who participated in a one-day capacity building programme held at Mofor, Udu council area, yesterday, said the lack of such powers have often hindered and frustrated efforts to engender peace in their kingdoms, reports The Nation.
The workshop which was organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Community and Rural Development (CRD) Directorate, with the theme “Capacity Building on Emerging Trends in Rural Governance,” was to identify the challenges of sustainable development as it related to Delta and Edo states, as well as develop mitigation pathways to addressing them.
It identified lack of stakeholder collaboration, good governance, communication, transparency and accountability among others, as challenges faced by royal fathers in the oil-rich region, despite their critical role at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the seminar, Chairman of TROMPCON, Delta State chapter, Ovie of Ozoro, HRM Obuka I, said the role of the traditional institutions are currently “stifled,” due to lack of constitutional powers. He added, “the government should recognise the roles of traditional rulers and empower us.”
