The Nigerian Ministry of Niger Delta Development says it is considering a new approach in tackling Insecurity, Environmental Degradation and Human Development issues with the European Union, EU to foster a healthy development of the region.
The Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta development Engr. Abubakah Momoh made this known when he hosted the Head of the European Union EU delegation, Mr. Ruben Aguilera, who paid him a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, Nigeria.
Engr. Momoh, said that the federal government in-line with its “Renewed Hope” agenda, have a number of plans which is being put together for the development of the Niger Delta region.
“We are charged with the responsibility of executing such plans and programmes for the purpose of developing the region both economically and in other areas, the Ministry also coordinates the activities of other agencies in-line with the Niger Delta Development plan,” he stated.
Speaking further, the Minister said that EU as an international body could intervene in some of the identified socio-economic challenges of the region and help to overcome some of the problems facing the people of the area.
“The ministry, has embarked on several projects and programmes that are ongoing such as Road Construction & Rehabilitation, Provision of Jetties, Supply of Water, Construction of Housing Estates, Skill Acquisition Centres and others which we believe that if these projects are fully funded and expanded, will go a long way in checkmating some of the restiveness in the area. “ He said.
In his remarks, the EU representative, Mr. Ruben Aguilera noted that the Niger Delta crisis is an age long issue which the EU has always been involved and are ready to be acquainted with the work that the ministry is doing and also to partner with it to get the problems resolved.
“we need to holistically look at how the ministry would address the challenges and how the EU can complement the ministry’s efforts in this regard, we also want to understand how it is working with other development partners and how we can work together with other development agencies to put together a strategy and working document to get an understanding of top priority projects that would create an impact in the region,” he said.
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