Okonjo-Iweala calls for sustainable solutions to Niger Delta’s socio-economic challenges

The Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to develop and implement sustainable solutions to address the region’s socio-economic challenges.

Speaking at the NDDC’s 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Okonjo-Iweala emphasised the need for the commission to prioritise the economic well-being and infrastructure development of the Niger Delta.

According to her, “The NDDC should give special attention to the economic development of the Niger Delta, ensuring that the region’s resources are harnessed to benefit its people.

”The commission should develop and implement sustainable solutions to address the region’s socio-economic challenges, including environmental degradation and infrastructure development, ” she said.

”By prioritising the region’s economic development, the NDDC can help bring peace and prosperity to the Niger Delta, enabling it to contribute optimally to Nigeria’s economy.

She noted that neglect has led to widespread frustration and restiveness.

Decades of oil and gas exploration have resulted in severe environmental damage, including pollution of land and water, and gas flaring.

Despite being the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy, the Niger Delta region remains underdeveloped, with inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities.

The neglect of the region’s socio-economic prosperity has led to widespread frustration, culminating in restiveness among the people.

The region has become one of the most polluted in the world, with oil spills and gas flaring posing significant health risks to local communities.

Environmental degradation has resulted in the loss of biodiversity, with severe consequences for the region’s ecosystem.

The environmental fallout costs an estimated $758 million annually, with 75 per cent of the burden borne by affected communities.