Niger Delta, other regions will witness increased investments throughout my tenure – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday assured the people of Niger Delta that his administration would continue to support rapid development in the region.
He said he would consolidate on all ongoing projects and initiate new ones to create more economic opportunities and jobs for the people.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving a delegation led by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Adesina quoted the President as reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta for economic and social activities to thrive.
“The President told the delegation led by the Olu of Warri that developing the region remained a priority for his administration, adding that under his watch, every region in the country would witness increased investments in critical infrastructure.
“The President appealed to the people of Niger Delta to complement ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to bring more development to the region by maintaining peace, security and harmony,” the statement read.
Buhari also promised to look into some of the concerns raised by the delegation, including the dredging of the Escravos bar for Warri and Koko ports, the gas revolution industrial park and EPZ project in Ogidigben, the ecological challenges in Ode-Itsekiri, Ugborodo, Orere/Yanagho and Ogheye-Eghoroke, among others.
The President also used the occasion of the visit to commend the Itsekiri people for producing men of strong convictions like the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay.
He said, “Thanks for producing a man like Prof. Itse Sagay, who is defending us robustly and stepping on many toes in the process. If he’s not a man of conviction, he couldn’t have done that.
“What he is doing is exceptional. Despite coming from a minority area, he’s showing overwhelming influence at the centre. Prof, I never had the opportunity to thank you personally for all you’re doing. Thank you very much.”
The Olu of Warri had on Friday urged the Federal Government to tackle insecurity in the Niger Delta region and activate Warri and Koko ports in Delta State.
He said that the activation of the ports would go a long way in providing job opportunities, thereby reducing youth restiveness in the region.
He regretted that while other ports in the country were active and contributing to the economic activities in the states where they were located, those of Warri and Koko had remained unused.
He also made a case for the actualisation of a planned gas industrial park (gas city) that is valued at $20bn, through a Public-Private Partnership model.
