The Federal Government has secured funding of over $1 billion from Shell Petroleum Development Company to develop the Niger Delta region, acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has announced.
Osinbajo made the announcement on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at a town hall meeting with governors, former governors, community leaders, women and various youth groups in the Niger Delta region.
He said that the vicious circle of abandonment amidst plenty, paying lip service to the region must stop, adding that this underscored the priority given to the cleanup of Ogoniland by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Osinbajo said that the inauguration of governing council and board of trustees on August 4, 2016 and January 12, 2017, were some measures taken by the administration to ensure the cleanup of Ogoniland.
Osinbajo said: “A funding of 1 billion dollars at 200 million dollars per annum over five years has been provided by Shell to provide drinking water, conduct health impact assessment and demonstrate remediation technologies.
“A groundbreaking for the construction of Centre of Excellence will be launched in a few days.
“Training of 2,000 women from four local government areas in greenhouse, shrimp, poultry farming for empowerment will commence soon.
“Environmental remediation is important throughout the entire region.”
Osinbajo said that fears being expressed that these projects would be abandoned should not be entertained as they were not being handled alone by the federal government.
The acting president stressed the need to cite thermal power stations in the Niger Delta.
He said that there was no reason why infrastructure built in the region could not be compared to infrastructure built in oil-producing communities anywhere in the world.
He promised that coal-powered refineries and issues surrounding petro-chemical plants would be looked into by the government.
He said the Federal Government was interested with the continuation of the amnesty programme.
He said: “We must re-commit to making the Niger Delta region a vibrant economic zone.”
He added that the government intended to use small, medium businesses to drive, create employment and stimulate growth in the area.
Osinbajo said: “I have made notes, I have listened carefully; this will be a beginning that will change the narrative of the Niger Delta.”
Trending
- The New Masquerade actress, Ovularia, is dead
- CL: Dortmund in first final in 11 years after defeating PSG
- Critical perspectives on the electricity tariff hike, subsidy, and energy transition, by Kola Ibrahim
- Lawyer begins alleged contempt proceedings against MultiChoice Abuja manager
- 2024 Hajj: NAHCON lauds Kebbi Pilgrims Board’s preparation for operations flag-off
- Takeaways from President Tinubu’s trip to Riyadh and the Hague, by Temitope Ajayi
- Scuba diver dies during operations at NPA facility
- Aliko Dangote Foundation, WEF announce 2024 Class of Dangote Fellows