President Bola Tinubu has reiterated the commitment of his administration to correct the years of neglect of the Niger Delta region through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu speaking at the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 held in Port Harcourt, said that the summit with the theme: “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta Region”, marked a turning point.
Represented by the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, 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, ” he said.
‘He further said,”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 contributes to the nation’s food supply. We should not be solely defined by our oil reserves, but also by our agricultural achievements”.
The Senate president gave kudos to the NDDC Board and Management for delivering impactful projects in the Niger Delta region.
He cited the inauguration of the 25.7 km Ogbia-Emakalakala-Akipelai-
Akpabio noted that the NDDC also inaugurated the Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-
He said inspite o the challenges of developing the Niger Delta region, the NDDC had risen to the challenge by executing projects that had improved the lives of the people. He said that President Tinubu was very pleased with the performance of the current leadership of the NDDC.
The Chairman of the occasion and former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, said that as an intervention agency for the oil producing States, the NDDC had the mandate to bring development closer to the people, to foster hope, peace and inclusive governance in the region.
“NDDC came as a child of necessity whose strategic role also includes to improve the environment, provide infrastructure, and enhance the livelihood of the people in the region.
“With the birth of this current leadership of NDDC, people from the Niger Delta have seen some rays of light. Therefore, I encourage the political class not to over stretch the NDDC for them to be able to perform optimally, ” he said.
Also, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Minister for Niger Delta Development, said that the Niger Delta region must diversify to reduce the reliance on fossil oil.
He reacted to the concerns raised about the deplorable state of some sections of the East-West Road, stating that the NDDC had engaged a construction firm to carry out some remedial work, in order to reduce the suffering of road users in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Earlier, Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, lamented the bad condition of the East-West Road and appealed to President Tinubu and the Federal Government to act swiftly to end the suffering of commuters at the Okogbe axis of the Road in Rivers State.
Diri, said he was stuck for more than two hours at the bad portion of the road on his way to the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the former Governor, Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, said 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.
Duke said, “However, it is imperative to prioritise the health and welfare of the people above all else. As an intervention agency, fostering collaboration with State governors is essential, and concerted efforts must be made to address the issue of abandoned projects that currently plague the region”.
On his part, Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC Managing Director, assured participants at the summit that their recommendations would be followed studiously to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.
L-R: Hon, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan; the Senate president, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the Minister for Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, at the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 in Port Harcourt.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, welcoming the pioneer NDDC MD, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, to the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 in Port Harcourt. In the middle is the Chairman, NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie.
