Despite efforts by the Federal Government to develop the Niger Delta region through various initiatives, there are still calls for more to be done in order to move the region to its desired level of development.
The call was made by Niger Delta stakeholders at the opening ceremony of the 3rd National Council on Niger Delta, in Abia State.
The stakeholders stated that the level of development in the region does not commensurate with the huge investments that have been poured into it, over the years therwby calling on the uovernmenr of Nigeria to step into their situation.
The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by his Deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu stated that, development of the region was crucial to the peace and development of the country, adding that the Council’s theme; ‘ Fostering Synergy and Institutional Coordination for Development in the Niger Delta Region’ was apt as it provided stakeholders room to deliberate on ways to attract the much needed development to the region.
He called on the Federal Government to evolve ways of completing the numerous abandoned projects in his state as it was crucial to the region.
The permanent Secretary, MNDA, Aminu Bisalla, identified that duplication of projects caused by lack of synergy among development agencies is one of the challenges delaying the pace of development in the region.
He expressed hope that the Council will provide a veritable forum for synergy among critical stakeholders and development partners in the Niger Delta region with the aim of fast-tracking the desired growth and development.
Source: DailyTrust
