The Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, has called for peace and dialogue, to address issues giving rise to conflicts, agitations and youth restiveness in the Region.
The Minister made this plea, when he paid a visit to the Executive Governor of Abia State, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu at the Government House at Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday February 17th, 2020.
Alasoadura said that the purpose of the visit to Abia State was to sensitize and ensure peace, development and tranquility in the Niger Delta region, as such, the people should let peace reign Supreme. He also charged the State Government to carry the people along and advised the people on the necessity to wean themselves from full dependence on Oil and Gas to other means of more sustainable livelihood, such as agriculture and other vocations.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olusade Adesola, said it was the continued desire of the Federal Government to promote dialogue and community based approach towards attaining peace for sustainable development of the region, that the implementation of this colloquium had been sustained.
Olusade stated that the programme was intended to provide a platform for interaction between Government and the people at the grassroot, with a view to giving them a listening ear and understanding their concerns, hence the theme “Dialogue, A Panacea for Peace and Development.”
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu expressed his gratitude to the Ministry on the Sensitization programme organised on peace and security in the region.
Sir Ude, pleaded with the Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete the ongoing projects in the State, so that it could benefit the people.
In his welcome address, Hon. Chief Sylvanus Nwaji, stated that under the able leadership of the Governor, the youths had been engaged in meaningful and sustainable ventures, especially Small Medium Entrepreneurs (SMES) in order to gainfully engage the Youths and maintain peace and security within the area.
He called on the Ministry to urgently look into the uncompleted projects and complete them, as it would benefit the people, especially the Niger Delta Housing Estate in Ukwa- west Local Government Area to help curb the bunkering activities along the region.
Deworitshe, Patricia
Head (Press & PR)
