The Nigerian Government has disclosed its collaboration with the European Union( EU) in tackling Insecurity, Environmental Degradation, and Human Development issues to foster a healthy development of the Niger Delta region.
The Minister of Niger Delta Development (MNDD), Engr. Abubakar Momoh made this known on Tuesday when he hosted the Head of the European Union (EU) delegation, Mr. Ruben Aguilera, according to a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Chindaya Ahmadu.
According to the minister,”We are charged with the responsibility of executing such plans and programmes to develop the region both economically and in other areas. The Ministry also coordinates the activities of other agencies in-line with the Niger Delta Development plan,” he stated.
He said the EU as an international body could intervene in some of the identified socio-economic challenges of the region and help to overcome some of the problems facing the people of the area.
Engr. Momoh stated that the ministry has embarked on several projects and programmes that are ongoing such as Road Construction and rehabilitation, Provision of Jetties, Supply of Water, Construction of Housing Estates, Skill Acquisition Centres, and others which we believe that if these projects are fully funded and expanded, will go a long way in checkmating some of the restiveness in the area.
“It is when you have peace that we can prepare for the production of more oil for the development of the country”, he said.
In his remarks, the EU representative, Mr. Ruben Aguilera noted that the Niger Delta crisis is an age-long issue in which the union has always been involved and is ready to be acquainted with the work that the ministry is doing and also to partner with it to get the problems resolved.
According to Aguilera, “we need to holistically look at how the ministry would address the challenges and how the EU can complement the ministry’s efforts in this regard.
“We also want to understand how it is working with other development partners and how we can work together with other development agencies to put together a strategy and working document to get an understanding of top priority projects that would create an impact in the region,” he said.
