No opposition to implementation of forensic audit report, says minister

• Canvasses partnerships to develop Niger Delta

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, has dismissed opposition to implementation of the forensic audit report on operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, Umana said he was reacting to a media report claiming that he was opposing President Muhammadu Buhari on pertinent issues regarding the forensic audit.

He urged relevant stakeholders to disregard the report and concentrate on the overall development of the oil-rich region.

THIS is even as the minister restated the ministry’s commitment to partner with major stakeholders and development partners for the development of the region.

He spoke when the former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

His words: “The Ministry is committed to supporting you in all of these initiatives so that we would have maximum benefit in the development of the region and Nigeria at large.”

Commenting on oil theft, he explained that though complicated, no option would be excluded in tackling the menace, adding that efforts are on to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.

Umana stressed that the ministry was taking steps to review the audit report to provide proper foundational template for implementation and execution of projects in the area.

He, therefore, promised to support efforts, initiatives and programmes that would engender the ministry’s achievement of its objectives and mandates.

Earlier, the Minister of State in the ministry, Sharon Ikeazor, stated that there should be effective coordination of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to promote developmental projects in the region.

“The region would be highly interested in aqua-culture, therefore, we would coordinate and research intervention partners and agencies that have been doing great job in the Niger Delta region without knowledge of the ministry for sustainability and development of the region,” she stated.

The minister also had audience with Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN), pledging to work with them, as inputs are needed for implementation of the ministry’s programmes for positive impact.

NDYCN President, Comrade Ufuoma Victor Erharhine, while appreciating efforts of the ministers, urged them to project programmes and activities that are beneficial to the poor in the region. He pledged an enabling environment for the ministry’s activities to thrive in the oil-rich region.