By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, says the Ministry is committed to partnering major stakeholders and development partners to ensure the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.
The Minister, who made the promise when the former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang paid him a courtesy visit recently in his office in Abuja said, the Ministry is committed to supporting all initiatives that would have maximum benefit in the development of the region and Nigeria at large.
He explained that in spite of complications, no option would be excluded in tackling the menace of oil bunkering, adding that efforts are being made to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.
Mr. Umana noted that the Ministry is taking steps to review the already concluded audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as it would provide proper foundational template for the implementation and execution of projects in the region.
The Minister, further promised to do his best to support efforts, initiatives and programmes that will lead to the Ministry achieving its objectives and mandate.
Earlier, Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sharon Ikeazor, had stated that there would be effective coordination of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to promote developmental projects in the region.
According to her, the region would be highly interested in aqua-culture, and as such, they would coordinate and research intervention partners and agencies that have been doing great job in the Niger Delta region without the knowledge of the ministry for the sustainability of the development of the region.
Trailing his success story while in office, the former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, told the Ministers that his regime had focused on Niger Delta economic diversification saying his office has been working with various MDAs to ensure Oil alternative programmes and projects such as agriculture, fisheries are executed in the interest of the Niger Delta people, and asked that they be sustained by the Ministry so as to achieve the desired goal.
A statement signed by the Ministry’s Director Press and Public Relations, Deworitshe Patricia, notes the Minister later received the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN) in audience and pledged to work with them as they are part of the critical stakeholders needed in the implementation of the Ministry’s agenda and programmes that would impact positively on the people of Niger Delta.
He reassured them of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the development of the region while urging the youths to provide enabling environment, right leadership, to maintain orderliness to assist the Ministry and Federal Government accomplish their expectations
The President of the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN), Comrade Ufuoma Victor Erharhine, while commending the efforts of the Ministers, urged them to project programmes and activities that would be beneficial to the poor in the region.
The youth leader, assured the Ministers of their support and plans towards providing enabling environment for the Ministry’s activities to thrive in the Niger Delta region.
