The Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to youths and agitators in the region to exercise patience with the Federal Government as it strives to develop the oil-rich region.

The group made the appeal in Port Harcourt on Monday while briefing newsmen at the Fourth General Assembly of the body, dismissing claims that it was slow in its engagement with the Federal Government.

The Rivers State leader of PANDEF, Alabo Graham Douglas while speaking, also pleaded with the youths to be patient with the elders of the region as they formulate measures that would ensure a better life for all of them.

He disclosed that the Federal Government has put the development of the region to heart as some of the items listed in the 16 point demands presented to the government were currently being attended to.

Douglas, who is a former Minister of Labour and Sports argued that it was wrong for the youths in the region to claim that no attention was being given to the development of the region, citing the Bodo-Bonny Road which was recently flagged off by the government as being one of the demands of the forum.