Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has assured communities in the Niger Delta of the federal government’s commitment to redressing inequalities in the region by improving the quality of lives of the people.
The minister gave the assurance on Wednesday while inaugurating and handing over to the state government a block of six classrooms at Uwheru town, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He was represented by the Director of Economic Empowerment in the ministry, Mr. Philip Ndiomu.
Akpabio said that the construction of the classrooms was one of the Quick Win Intervention Projects in 2017, designed as a palliative approach towards improving the quality of lives of the people of the region.
A statement by Deworitshe Patricia, the director, press and public relations in the ministry, quoted Akpabio as saying that the project was one of the gains and achievements recorded under the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He said two other blocks of classrooms are now completed, and are also being inaugurated at Nneise, in Imo State; and Tombia, in Bayelsa State, respectively.
According to him, all aspects of the project were awarded to indigenous and local contractors, and that the construction had benefited the community by creating employment opportunities for the youths of the host and neighbouring communities.
In his response, the representative of the Delta State government, Dr. Steve Igheghe, commended the federal government and the ministry for the laudable project.
Earlier in his welcome address, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr. Babayo Ardo, who was also represented by the deputy director, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Bala Agbu Tsoken, reiterated President Buhari’s commitment towards improving the condition of lives of the people.