Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was today, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, commended by Youth Leaders for conceiving and implementing projects in line with well-defined vision and strategies.
According to a release by the youth group, “the evidence so far is that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is well-informed of what is expected of him and he is rising to the occasion admirably.”
At a meeting in Owerri, the youths commended Akpabio for giving priority to basic infrastructures like roads, electricity, education, portable water, health, land reclamation, construction of jetties and canalization.
“Senator Akpabio is proffering permanent solutions to the Niger Delta problems. He is giving succour to the afflicted, building bridges of friendship across the region and giving the people a sense of belonging.”, the group noted.
The Youth Leaders equally spoke on the 3 per cent contribution of Oil Companies from their annual budgets to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) , the huge debt owed the commission by International Oil Companies, IOCs, operating in the region, Akpabio’s doggedness and sincerity about how to go about the financial needs of NDDC’s recurrent and capital expenditure,
In an address read on behalf of Youth Groups in the Niger Delta by the President, Coalition of Progressive Niger Delta Youths (CPNDY), Mr Chukwuma Nwabueze, the youth leaders praised Akpabio for properly and efficiently managing the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
They also applauded the former governor of Akwa Ibom State for galvanising the people into lending full support for the Muhammadu Buhari -led government in its resolve to transform the region.
“Our attitude to the call for the constitution of the board for the Niger Delta Development Commission in 2021 is one of extreme caution. We therefore, urge President Muhamadu Buhari not to yield to the temptation of constituting the NDDC Board now”, they noted
The youths also highlighted the on-going East West Road project, the 1050 bed space hostel in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, human capital development, skills acquisition centres in all the 9 states of the Niger Delta and the132kv substation in Ondo State, which will supply power to about 5 local governments, as some of the projects executed by the NDDC under the strict supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
“The good people of the Niger Delta Region have suffered from the myopic advice of The Ijaw Interest Advocate (IIA). We feel strongly that Mr Musa Saidu, is a busy-body that chose to cry wolf where there is none. We urge the general public to disregard the lies and rumours peddled by the Izanzan Intellectual Camp, Saidu and other unpatriotic elements.”
