(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/coat-of-arms2.gif) President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that the support of development partners in the country remains invaluable to the realization of development plans in the country.
Jonathan made the statement at the inauguration of National Council on Niger Delta in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the Niger Delta Action Plan is the consolidation of the stability and peace in the Niger Delta following the Amnesty programme initiated by late President Umaru Yar'Adua in 2010.
He added that "The foremost objective in the development of the Niger Delta Action Plan, by this Administration, is to complement the specific commitment contained in the Amnesty programme." Though not unaware of the region's vulnerability to threats, Mr. President said government is building upon the positive momentum in the region with great determination and commitment, adding that the country produces an average of 2.5 million barrels of oil per day as against 700,000 barrels per day during the pre-Amnesty period.
Jonathan said he was "Certain that the support of multi-lateral development agencies in the country such as the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, European Union and Bilateral agencies such as USAID and United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), will be invaluable in the implementation of this Action Plan."
While commending the Action Plan as being of great relevant for its concrete, comprehensive and coherent programme of investments in the social and infrastructure sectors of the various communities of the Niger Delta, he urged the active participation of stakeholders in order to drive investment programme of economic and social empowerment in the region.
He said government has endorsed the establishment of a Multi-Stakeholder Trust Fund, toward creating development partners and stakeholders, to assist the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to more effectively coordinate development resources from different stakeholders, in achieving the intended objectives.
Earlier, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe said the Ministry was established in 2008, to execute Federal Government initiatives towards the development of the Niger Delta region. He noted that since then, the Ministry has engaged in policies and programmes for the development of the region.
Orubebe said since on Monday the 22nd of April, the National Council on Niger Delta being inaugurated, had been working on policies and the National Action Plan for the development of region.
In his remark, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Godswill Akpabio, urged the youth in the region not to be a clog in the wheel of development in the name of tradition but work together for even development in the Niger Delta.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
They are not doing enough themeselves to develop this nation. There are certain we expect from them that they've not even touched.