Tinubu reaffirms commitment to Niger Delta development

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to correct the years of neglect of the Niger Delta region through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Friday, Tinubu, represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said that 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 contributes to the nation’s food supply. Our oil reserves should not solely define us, 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, citing the inauguration of the 25.7 km Ogbia-Emakalakala-Akipelai-Etiama-Nembe Road with seven bridges and the 132KV Transmission Line and I32KV/33KV electricity substation at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He noted that the NDDC unveiled the Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road with an 800-metre Ibeno Bridge.

Akpabio said that despite the challenges of developing the Niger Delta region, the NDDC had risen to the challenge by executing projects that have 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 event former President 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.

He observed, “NDDC came as a child of necessity whose strategic role also includes improving the environment, providing infrastructure, and enhancing 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 overstretch the NDDC for them to be able to perform optimally.”

Also speaking, the Minister for Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, said that the Niger Delta region must diversify to reduce the reliance on fossil oil.

Momoh 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 to reduce road users’ suffering in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

In his remarks, a former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, said that the stakeholders’ summit was a platform for a crucial reflection on the productivity of the populace in light of the abundance of hydrocarbons and vast gas reserves.

“However, it is imperative to prioritize 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,” he said.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured participants at the summit that their recommendations would be followed studiously to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.