ABUJA (Min of Niger Delta Affairs) – The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Aminu Aliyu Bisalla, has called on the people of the Niger Delta region, to toe the path of dialogue in resolving issues with stakeholders and government, as development cannot be achieved in the midst of rancor.
He revealed this at a community meeting on peace in the Niger Delta region, held at Orogun town, Ughelli North, Local Government Area of Delta State, recently.
Bisalla disclosed that the interactive session, themed – Community Engagement and Dialogue for Sustainable Development was a fallout of one of the recommendations of the 3rd National Council on Niger Delta, which took place in Umuahia, Abia State, in 2018 as well as other stakeholders’ fora, were participants had called on the Federal Government to bridge the communication gap with the Niger Deltans.
The Permanent Secretary , who was represented by Architect Oyelade Oyeleke David, the Delta State Coordinator of the Ministry, stressed that this would guide the Federal Government in initiating programmes and projects that would impact positively on the lives of the people of the community and the region at large.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, urged the Federal Government to provide more employment opportunities for the Niger Delta youths as they were willing to work and contribute to the development of the region; he therefore called on the Federal Government to pay more attention to Orogun Kingdom as it had been neglected for a long time.
Chief Francis Anigabou, a representative of Obugwe of Ezemu Kingdom, commended the Federal Government for organizing the interactive session as it showed a sign indicating government’s interest in the people.
The Director, Community Development and Education in the Ministry, Mrs Lauren Braide, said in her remarks that the interactive session was the desire of the Federal Government to adopt dialogue and community based approach in developing the region as similar sessions were held last year in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Edo States.
Braide stressed the need for continuous dialogue and regular constructive engagements of critical stakeholders to ensure inclusive growth of the region.
She revealed that plans were on to expand the interactive session to more communities in the Niger Delta region with a view to maximize its inherent benefits.
The people of Olorogun Kingdom thanked the Federal Government for the opportunity to hear directly from them through the interactive session.
Stephen Kilebi
DD Press
