Niger Delta Ministry: The Repository Efforts of Usani -By Paul Emumena Michael.

The agitations of the Niger Delta people, which was provoked by governmental and political negligence, lack of development in the region, ecological and water pollutions, environmental degradation, unemployment and exploitation, prompted the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, MNDA in September 10, 2008 by His Excellency, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua to promote and coordinate policies for development, peace and security of the Niger Delta region.

Before the birth of the Ministry, there was civil unrest in the region, which was hinged on the agitations for the emancipation of the Niger Delta people. Sabotage of oil installations, kidnapping, oil theft, disruption of oil exploration as well as criminality were some of the ills that reigned in the region. The Nation’s economy was thrown into comatose, thus the urgent need to address the under-development and negligence of the Niger Delta region.

However, the efforts of the Federal Government to reduce or eliminate insecurity in the Niger Delta by quality engagement of its people and the development of the region has since suffered set back. According to a report of an audit committee chaired by Engr. Yerima Bulama, which was set up by the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, it was reported that about 427 projects that worth over seven hundred billion Naira (700, 538, 741, 691.00) were awarded between 2009 – 2015 in the MNDA. But despite the release of 60% of the budgeted funds, only 12% of the projects were completed while 70% are tagged “work-in-progress”.

According to Pastor Usani, “The origin of this audit committee”, he said, “was based on the discovery that things were not done properly, so the committee members were carefully selected to audit the projects.” This single move didn’t just end at exposing irregularities such as duplication of projects, mismanagement of funds as well as lack of due process in awarding most of the contracts in the Ministry, it also creates room for transparency and accountability, which are the hallmarks of good governance in a democratic government.

In another development, MNDA led by Hon. Minister Usani has developed a Niger Delta Action Plan, which is a comprehensive approach to the development of the Niger Delta region. This is geared towards the promotion of quality development and infrastructural advancement in Niger Delta. The master plan is in line with the plans of President Mohammadu Buhari to reposition the region, where about $10 billion has been earmarked for infrastructural development in the region.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has put systems in place to reduce tension and promote peace in Niger Delta, which is one of the core mandate of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. In addition, a sensitization stakeholders forum titled “Securing National Assets and Peace for Sustainable Development: The Grassroots’ Approach”, was held by the Ministry at Ode Aye Community, Okitipupa to engage the Niger Delta Community on the development strategy of the Ministry and the need to create a peaceful and an enabling environment where development can thrive.

Importantly, a Consulting Firm, the African Centre for Shared Development Capacity Building was commissioned by the Niger Delta Ministry and the United Nations Development Program, UNDP in a workshop jointly organized by the duo, to carry out baseline survey in order to fast track developmental efforts in Niger Delta and to avoid unnecessary duplication of projects by government agencies, stakeholders and development partners in the region.

Most recent is the setting up of National Council for the Niger Delta (#NCND16), to discuss the multi-dimensional issues affecting the Niger Delta region. The discussion is scheduled to hold on December 5, 2016 and it seeks to resolve the high rate of abandoned projects as well as poor coordination of agencies working in the Niger Delta, which has thwarted the efforts of previous governments and greatly caused under-development in the region.

This is outside the women and youths capacity developments and vocational training undertaken by MNDA. As at August 2016, some of the beneficiaries who were trained by the Ministry on commercial snail farming, entrepreneurship and Information, Communication Technology (ICT), were issued certificates, given start-up capital of three hundred thousand naira (N300,000.00) and a laptop while others received four hundred thousand naira (N400,000.00) without laptop as well as other relevant materials.

It is not out of place to posit that the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani is equal and committed to the task of developing the nine (9) States that made up the Niger Delta region, end insecurity and youths restiveness as well as ensure judicious usage and monitoring of funds budgeted for the emancipation and repository course of Niger Delta and its people. It is therefore necessary for all indegenes and stakeholders of the region to support the MNDA under Usani to achieve its set goals for the Niger Deltaregion.

Paul Emumena Michael writes from Benin City, Edo State and can be reached at paulebi4eva@gmail.com