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Jonathan Urges Politicians to Hands Off NDDC, Seeks Sustainable Development for Niger Delta

The Minister for Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, emphasized the need for the region to diversify and reduce its reliance on fossil oil, while the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured that the recommendations from the summit would be followed to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged politicians in the Niger Delta region to stop meddling in the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying it has hindered the agency’s progress and impact.
Speaking at the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Jonathan noted that the NDDC was established to provide infrastructure and improve the livelihoods of the people in the region, but politicians have slowed down its progress.
He praised the current leadership of the NDDC, saying they are “beginning to get it right,” and urged Senator Godswill Akpabio, the most senior politician from the region, to work with stakeholders for the betterment of the region.
Jonathan also called on the NDDC to stop abandoning projects and to work with the Bank of Industry to issue loans for industrialization and agricultural revolution in the region.
Also speaking, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented  by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio
at the summit, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to correcting the years of neglect of the Niger Delta region through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said, “This administration brings renewed hope and prosperity and I believe this is the season we have been waiting for. It is our time to shine. To achieve lasting solutions, we must overcome disunity. Unity among the people of the Niger Delta and the entire nation is not just a choice but a necessity. Through our shared vision, we can overcome the obstacles before us.
According to Mr   Akpabio, “Mr President is deeply committed to the development of the Niger Delta. The East-West Road will be a priority. The National Assembly, fully represented here today, will do everything in its power to ensure the completion of this crucial road. Additionally, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project will not only commence from Lagos but will also start simultaneously from the Niger Delta, ensuring both ends meet to complete the project.
“The Niger Delta can sustain itself with its agricultural resources, especially in rice production and fish farming. By focusing on rice production, we can ensure that the Niger Delta not only meets its own needs but also contributes to the nation’s food supply. Our oil reserves should not solely define us, but also by our agricultural achievements.”
The Senate President praised the NDDC board and management for delivering impactful projects in the region, and urged the agency to continue executing projects that improve the lives of the people.
The Minister for Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, emphasized the need for the region to diversify and reduce its reliance on fossil oil, while the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured that the recommendations from the summit would be followed to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

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