President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he is abreast with the infrastructural gaps and challenges in the Niger Delta region of the country and has put machinery in place to address them.
The president stated this while declaring open the 6th Meeting of the National Council of Niger Delta (NCND) in Asaba on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting is themed: “Stimulating Strategies for Economic and Development in the Niger Delta Region”.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Abubakar Audu, said efforts were being made to transform the infrastructural and economic fortunes of the region and indeed the nation at large.
Tinubu noted that the theme of the meeting was apt, strategic and appropriate to stimulate proper coordination of developmental programmes and projects in the region.
“The focus of this council is in tandem with the cardinal objectives of my administration, which are adequately enunciated in the Renewed Hope Agenda document.
“May I reiterate that the Renewed Hope Agenda encompasses much more than driving economic growth in Nigeria.
“It is also about creating jobs, improving education, healthcare and reducing poverty, and building a more just and equitable society for all Nigerians.
”It is expected to bring succour to all citizens of Nigeria in these difficult times,” he said.
He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to key into the theme and ensure maximum deliverables were attained.
He said his administration was committed to implementing the Federal Government’s efforts to address the challenges of underdevelopment and insecurity in the Niger Delta region.
“My administration is committed to implementing projects and programmes geared towards addressing the diverse needs of its people and for sustainable growth and development in the region.
“Government has developed a holistic plan for the development of the Niger Delta region and, indeed, all parts of Nigeria in terms of infrastructure, education and harnessing the bountiful resources of all parts of our great country.
“This is evident in the Ministerial Performance Bond for Presidential Priorities and Deliverables for 2023 – 2027, which was signed between the Minister of Niger Delta Development, myself as well as with all members of the Federal Executive Council.
“To achieve these development initiatives, my administration deemed it fit to widen the scope of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development that is saddled with the responsibility of formulating and executing plans, programmes and other initiatives for the development of the region,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, while appreciating the council and all stakeholders, charged them to come up with workable decisions that would spur development in the region.
“I will begin by saying that this forum is a strategic platform for the states in the Niger Delta region to focus on issues and challenges of common interest; create a more dynamic and equitable arrangement for regional prosperity.
“It is also to deepen our collaboration for using the region’s natural resources for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
“Indeed, the existence of the National Council on Niger Delta recognises the interdependent nature of economic and political systems and the value of regional approach to economic development.
“Economic diversification is key to our growth aspirations. Hence, I welcome ideas on how we can reposition our agricultural economies and invest massively in critical social and economic infrastructure.
“I also expect this meeting to develop the blueprint for a more robust and effective public-private partnership to accelerate industrialisation in our various states,” he said.
Oborevwori charged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure the completion of all abandoned and incomplete projects across the region.
In his goodwill message, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo observed that the resources meant for the development of the region had been misused over the years.
He lamented the over 30 years East-West Road project and called for a strategic meeting of the nine governors, irrespective of political party affinity.
This, he said, would be to brainstorm and forge common developmental plans for the region.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, while appreciating the stakeholders and the host, Oborevwori, said the council would avail the ministry opportunity to evaluate its policies and programmes.
“As we all know, the council is the highest advisory body to the ministry on policy formulation and implementation towards improving the socio-economic well-being of the people of the Niger Delta region.
“It is a high-level platform for critical stakeholders responsible to deliberate on matters affecting the region and take necessary steps towards the development of the Niger Delta region.
“This forum, therefore, provides us with a unique opportunity to collectively and effectively re-examine our previous developmental efforts and evaluate the impact to see if they have achieved the planned objective.
”It will also enable the ministry to initiate and/or adopt new mechanisms to quickly deliver the needed common good to our people,” he said. (NAN)
