By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Federal Government said
it has identified a need to harness enormous potentials and investments of Public Private Partnership (PPP) towards fast track of developmental strides in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh disclosed this on Tuesday at the ongoing National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) titled : “Stimulating Strategies for Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region” in Delta state.
The Minister said, “We are reinforcing coordination mechanism to deliver planned objectives in the NDR. Efforts in this direction include the presidential charge to harmonise all development plans in the region into a single strategy which will ensure shared purpose and articulated development among stakeholders in the region”.
Momoh assured that the MNDD is implementing a Maritime Transportation system under the PPP funded arrangement for a start to ensure effective take off of ferry services as part of the implementation phase.
The Minister pointed out that the National Council is a high level platform for critical stakeholders to deliberate on matters affecting the region and take necessary steps towards resolving same.
He stressed that the Council is therefore strategic to the Ministry and indeed the entire region as decisions reached will be taken seriously by the present leadership of the Ministry and included in the materials for the development of the blueprint for attaining the desired outcomes for the region.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented at the event by Prince Abubakar Audu, Minister of Steel Development stated, “The focus of this Council is in tandem with the cardinal objectives of my administration which are adequately enunciated in the Renewed Hope Agenda document”.
Earlier, the host Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori welcoming all to the state posited that the regions natural resources be harnessed for inclusive development to enable provide gainful employment for the youths.
According to a statement signed by the ministry’s Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations,Eunice Akro, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore Deputy Governor, Delta state, Sir Monday Onyeme, Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie, various representatives of state governors of the NDR, development partners, stakeholders, traditional rulers of host communities are amongst the dignitaries at the Council.
