FG Will Do More To Develop Niger Delta – Osinbajo

The federal government has assured it will do more to enhance the physical development of the oil- bearing communities in the Niger Delta in the next four years.

Giving the assurance on Friday during a courtesy call at the Obotobo, Burutu council area, palace of the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRM, Captain Joseph Timiyan I, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), lamented the inadequacy of the performances the development agencies created to fill gaps in the region.

The Vice President, who was in Delta state to perform some official assignments including the 20.29 KM Obotobo 1- Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu council area and the Main Axial Road in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area, said the federal government would sit with the state government to determine area’s in need of development.

Osinbajo lamented the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not been able to meet the expectations of the people of the region, a situation which he said would necessitate a meeting with the state governments to fashion out means of really impacting the people.

“The NDDC in many respect has not met the expectations of the oil producing states; a lot of money is invested in NDDC and the Ministry of the Niger Delta because the real reason they were created is to speed up the development of oil-rich communities. We will sit with the Delta State Governor to look at specific areas to develop in the creeks,” he said.

Meanwhile, while commissioning the road in Ogulagha Kingdom, Osinbajo said: “I want to commend Governor Okowa for his achievements in a neighbourhood and area that has not had this type of road.

“We commend him also on several other initiatives in this kingdom in particular, because this has been a very peaceful community and its a host to several of our oil and gas assets.

“So, its really is a special pleasure to commission these roads and also thank His Royal Highness,(Elder, Capt)Joseph Timiyan, who has maintained the peace in this neighborhood and who has shown true leadership by the way he has conducted the affairs of this area”, he said.

Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, disclosed that the Vice President was invited to commission the projects because he visited the creeks in the pursuit of peace and the enabling environment for oil and gas production.

“it is not just the length of the road that makes this project unique; it is that the road is located right beside the Atlantic Ocean with all the human, material, ecological and financial implications that this difficult terrain presents; we did not know we could get this length of road in the creek until the King drew our attention to it.

“I am happy about the progress we have made so far; this has greatly helped to ensure peace in the State, which bodes well for uninterrupted oil production and the health of the national economy; we are continuing to use various structures and initiatives to ensure that the peace we have enjoyed in the last three years is sustained,” the governor said.