Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osibajo has described the Niger Delta region as a special development zone that require not just the federal government but a concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
Prof. Osibajo arrived at the resolve on Monday on an official visit to Gbaramatu the home-base of fugitive ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo as part of federal government's efforts to peacefully sort out resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta region.
Vice President Yemi Osibajo, who got to Oporoza community, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta state, on a facts-finding visit, accompanied by the Delta state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said the issue of development of the Niger Delta region was not a responsibility that only the federal government could tackle.
He noted that other stakeholders must join hands with government to solve the region's dire need for development which he agreed has a genuine need to be treated as a special development zone,
Addressing the Niger Delta question,, Osibajo said "number one, we must recognise the environmental and terrain challenges of the Niger Delta, we must also recognise that the Niger Delta is a special economic zone for this nation and so we must treat it as a special development zone.
"I agree that it must be treated as a special development zone. But what does it mean in practical terms? It means that the federal government, the state governments, the National Assembly representatives, alongside the NDDC and the civil society representatives of the Niger Delta people must sit together and develop a plan and funding arrangement for rapid development.
Read More
Post a Comment