President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to correct the years of neglect in the Niger Delta region through the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
Speaking at the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday Tinubu, who represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the summit with the theme: “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta Region,” marked a turning point.
He said, “This administration brings renewed hope and prosperity and I believe this is the season we have been waiting for. It is our time to shine. To achieve lasting solutions, we must overcome disunity. Unity among the people of the Niger Delta and the entire nation is not just a choice, but a necessity. Through our shared vision, we can overcome the obstacles before us.
“Mr President is deeply committed to the development of the Niger Delta. The East-West Road will be a priority. The National Assembly, fully represented here today, will do everything in its power to ensure the completion of this crucial road. Additionally, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project will not only commence from Lagos, but will also start simultaneously from the Niger Delta, ensuring both ends meet to complete the project.
“The Niger Delta can sustain itself with its agricultural resources, especially in rice production and fish farming. By focusing on rice production, we can ensure that the Niger Delta not only meets its own needs, but also contribute to the nation’s food supply. Our oil reserves should not solely define us, but also our agricultural achievements.”
The Senate president lauded the NDDC Board and management for delivering impactful projects in the region, citing the inauguration of the 25.7km Ogbia-Emakalakala-Akipelai-Etiama-Nembe Road with seven bridges, 132KV Transmission Line and I32KV/33KV electricity substation at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He noted that NDDC unveiled the Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road with an 800-metre Ibeno Bridge.
Akpabio said despite the challenges of developing the Niger Delta region, NDDC had risen to the challenge by executing projects that have improved the lives of the people.
He added that President Tinubu is pleased with the performance of the current leadership of NDDC.
Chairman of the event and former President Goodluck Jonathan said as an intervention agency for the oil producing states, NDDC has the mandate to bring development closer to the people, foster hope, peace and inclusive governance in the region.
He observed that “NDDC came as a child of necessity whose strategic role also includes improving the environment, providing infrastructure and enhancing the livelihood of the people.
“With the birth of this current leadership of NDDC, people from the Niger Delta have seen some ray of light. Therefore, I encourage the political class not to overstretch the NDDC for them to be able to perform optimally.”
Also speaking, the Minister for Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, added that the Niger Delta region must diversify to reduce reliance on fossil oil.
Momoh reacted to the concerns raised about the deplorable state of some sections of the East-West Road, stating that NDDC had engaged a construction firm to carry out some remedial work to reduce road users suffering in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
In his remarks, a former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, noted that the stakeholders’ summit was a platform for a crucial reflection on the productivity of the populace in the light of the abundance of hydrocarbons and vast gas reserves.
“However, it is imperative to prioritise the health and welfare of the people above all else. As an intervention agency, fostering collaboration with governors is essential and concerted efforts must be made to address the issue of abandoned projects that currently plague the region,” he said.
The Managing Director, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured participants at the summit that their recommendations would be followed studiously to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.
