Lack of trust, obstacle to N’Delta devt – Orubebe
APRIL 26, 2013
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, has said the greatest problem facing the Niger Delta region is mistrust.
Orubebe, at the maiden meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Thursday, said the people of the region often felt betrayed as they believe that projects in the region were not always evenly distributed.
He explained that because of this belief, people were not always ready to support the efforts of the ministry.
The minister added that the Niger Delta ministry only coordinates the various activities of stakeholders to avoid duplication of projects.
He said, “One of the challenges we have in the Niger Delta is the issue of mistrust. The intention of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is not to do the work of other development partners, state government and local governments, the Niger Delta Development Commission and oil companies.
“Our mandate is to formulate, execute projects and programmes and coordinate development activities in the Niger Delta in concert with other stakeholders. It is a focal point for mobilising and coordinating domestic and international support in resolving issues and challenges in the Niger Delta. This will make duplication of projects to be avoided.”
He added that in approving the National Council on Niger Delta Affairs, government foresaw the harmonisation of development efforts in the Niger Delta and mandated it to, among others, give direction to the development partners, ensure the alignment and coordination of policies and programmes.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, has insisted that the relative peace in the Niger Delta is tied to the continued stay in office of President Goodluck Jonathan
He said at an an interactive session with senior officials of the United States State Department led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (Bureau of African Affairs), Ambassador Donald Teitelbaum, that since Jonathan had been able to guarantee peace in the Niger Delta, Washington should persuade him to seek re-election in 2015.
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