We are committed to partners with stakeholders to develop Niger Delta region – Umana

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) Mr Umana Okon Umana has restated the commitment of the Ministry to partner with major stakeholders and development partners to ensure the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.

The Minister disclosed this when the former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang paid him a courtesy visit recently in his office in Abuja.

According to him, “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 made to maintain peace and tranquillity in the region.

Umana stressed that the Ministry is taking steps to review the already concluded audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as it would provide a proper foundational template for the implementation and execution of projects in the region.

He, therefore, promised to do his best to support efforts, initiatives and programmes that will lead to the Ministry’s achievement of its objectives and mandate.

Earlier, Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, 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 a great job in the Niger Delta region without the knowledge of the ministry for the sustainability of the development of the region”, she further stated.

Briefing the Hon. Ministers on his activities while in office, the former Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang, opined that the focus of his office has been on Niger Delta economic diversification.

“My office has been working with various MDAs to ensure programmes and projects such as agriculture (Oil alternative programmes), and fisheries are executed in the interest of the Niger Delta people, I, therefore, solicit for the continuation of the projects by the Ministry in order to achieve the desired goal”, he stated.

The Honourable Minister also received the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN) in the audience, while acknowledging the group as part of the critical stakeholders, pledged to work with them as inputs are needed from all stakeholders in the implementation of the Ministry’s agenda and programmes that would impact positively on the Niger Deltans.

He assured the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the development of the region while urging the youth to provide an enabling environment, the right leadership, and maintain orderliness which would help the ministry and Federal Government to accomplish their expectations

The President of the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN), Comrade Ufuoma Victor Erharhine, while commending the efforts of the Honourable Ministers, he urged them to project programmes and activities that would benefit the poor in the region.

He assured the Ministers of their support and providing an enabling environment for the Ministry’s activities to thrive in the Niger Delta region.