By Victor Akaa, Abuja
The minister of Niger Delta Useni Uguru Useni has said the polices, approaches and noble ideas initiated by his administration has culminated into a relatively sustainable peace and security of the region for the past three years of his stewardship.
Pastor Useni stated this in Abuja while briefing journalists on his scorecard within 3 years of his administration.
He said, the challenges of bombing of pipe lines, kidnapping, militancy, bunkering, youth restiveness which was hitherto synonymous with the region has reduced to the nearest minimum.
He said “under my stewardship in the past 3 years, the ministry has been committed to translating the noble vision of Mr. President into reality, and I’m glad to report that our efforts have impacted positively to change the narratives in the region”.
The minister further said though the ministry has biggest challenge of limited resources, he was not deterred in executing some projects that will have direct bearing for the region.
According to him, the ministry were able to train over 1272 youths in entrepreneurial and skill acquisition programmes which include ICT, poultry, fishery production, soap making, among others and also gave incentives to the beneficiaries to start up businesses under the strict monitoring and supervision of the ministry to ensure prudence use of the money.
Other achievements include, completion of 3 flood and erosion control project in communities of Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states while several other ones across the states in the region are nearly in various state completion.
Under infrastructural development, the achievement recorded include construction of health centers, classroom blocks, staff quarters, solar power energy, ICT centers, and others across the states in the region, some completed and some nearly completion.
He further said, to enhance the economic empowerment of the Niger Deltans, the ministry has initiated ,completed and handed over some cassava processing plants, integrated oil palm processing plants to the host communities within the region and also construction of roads, among others.
The minister stated that although a lot has been done much more is needed to be done and therefore reiterated his commitment in turning around the fortunes of the region.
Recall that Niger Delta ministry affairs was established on 10th Sept. 2008 to promote and coordinate policies for the development, peace and security of the Niger Delta region due to the series of agitations by the Niger Deltans on the perceived sense of exclusion, environmental degradation, poverty and unemployment facing the region.
