By Austin Ogwuda
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Momoh to collaborate with the State Governors within the region in project execution.
He stated this while playing host to the Minister and his entourage on a courtesy visit to Government House Asaba, Saturday, noting that such collaboration was necessary in order to improve the living conditions of the people of the region.
His words: “a few days ago I received the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi who was here to look at the state of the Federal roads in the State. He saw for himself the state of the Warri-Benin Road and also the East-West Road.
“I am happy for your appointment because you are somebody from this region and I know that when you appoint somebody from the region he will do something that he will be remembered for.
You are already aware of the pains and challenges we are passing through because you have said it all but its not just about knowing the challenges and not dealing with them.
“You may know what is happening and not dealing with the challenges. You have passed through the road to Port Harcourt, the whole area is bad.
This region produces the highest wealth that we use in running this country so attention ought to be paid to the region.
“This is the opportunity you have to put the records straight, those that are going to be in charge whether contractors or those giving out the contracts should do the right thing because what is causing this problem is shortcut.
As a Minister for the Niger Delta, do your best to ensure that the region gets the best in terms of road projects, security, shore protection among others. Don’t also forget the issue of youths restiveness.
Most of our riverine areas are being taken over by erosion and we need to also look at our roads and how we can fix them. That’s the reason the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta were created to focus on the Niger Delta”, the governor added.
Earlier, the Minister said the delegation was in the State as part of his stakeholders visit to the Niger Delta region to know what is on ground and the challenges.
“As Governors of the States”, he continued, “you are the authority and custodians of the states and as far as the Ministry is concerned.
We need to collaborate with the Governors of the states in order to bring about development and peace to the Niger Delta region.
“We are here to carry out the assignment of President Bola Tinubu of the renewed hope agenda with eight presidential priorities of Mr President which if fully pursued vigorously Nigeria will be better for it.
“We have directed the NDDC on how to partner with state governments in order to target major projects executed across the Niger Delta and if the Ministry can come together with the state governments to identify some of these areas, I believe that we will do better than we were doing before”.
