Introduction: Contextualizing the Development Issues of the Niger Delta

The Federal Government of Nigeria recently established a new development body - the Consolidated Council on Social and Economic Development of Coastal States of the Niger Delta (COSEND)[1] - charged with responsibility for the development of the Niger Delta region of the country from where the country exploits its vast oil resources. However, as will be seen below, this is not the first time such a body has been established. In fact, there is an existing development body in the region - the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) established in 2000.[2] So, why do we (or do we) need a ...