Anchoring needed developments in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

[FMINigeria]

By Mbosire Kazon John.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria has high unemployment rate among the youths and women; as well as poor infrastructural facilities and high prevalence of diseases.

In view of this development, the region therefore illustrates a development paradox characterized by endemic poverty in the midst of plenty. The thrusts of the projects and programmes of the Ministry of Niger Delta for the transformation of the region were to achieve among others, infrastructural development, environmental sustainability, socio economic development, peace and stability in the region.

Given the fact that the Niger Delta region, which we are talking about here provides over 80% of the country's total revenue and 95% of its total export earnings, the region should not be left to continue suffering the fate described earlier. Environmental degradation and pollution caused by oil spills, gas leaks and flares' ought to be far from the fortunes of the region in 2013!

The Niger Delta Ministry which was set up to address these privations of the Niger Delta region, was able to embark on the construction of 360 Units of Housing, and another 40 units of 2 and 3 bedroom Bungalows in each of the 9 States. These construction projects which have implications for youth employment and the economy of the region and its residents, the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Elder Godsday Orubebe said recently, have reached about 65% completion. "Some of the housing units will be ready for commissioning and allocated to beneficiaries before the end of 2013.

Road constructions and the dual carriage ways have been targeted at the region: the East-West road which commenced in 2006 and taken over by the Ministry of the Niger Delta at 10% completion in 2010, has now reached over 52% completion. With the level of commitment by Jonathan's administration, we were told that the road will be completed by the end of December, 2014. Some sections of the road have been completed and are due for handing over by the contractors to the Ministry. The component of the East-West road that have been completed so far include: the (Section I-IV), reconstruction of Benin-Abraka road and reconstruction of Owerri-Elele road and dual carriageway of East-West road; Warri-Oron (Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States) – 338 Kms.

Furthermore, in the area of human development, the Ministry of Niger Delta Development is building nine skills acquisition centers, one in each State of the region. The Skills Acquisition Centers are designed to train youths to acquire skills that will enable them work in various sectors of the economy, in particular the Oil and Gas, Commerce, Tourism, Agriculture, ICT, Construction and Maritime. We were also told that four of these centers will be completed to commence operation this year.

It is also pertinent to note that in the last two years under the Jonathan's Transformation Agenda; over 900 jobs apart from various projects being carried out were created for the region as reported.

Thus, it can be seen in the above that the Niger Delta Ministry as a mid-wife of development in the Niger Delta region is taking giant steps to ensure that its mandate are judiciously attended to.

Mbosire Kazon John, an Information officer writes in from the National Press Centre.

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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria