The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has proposed a regular meeting between the Niger Delta Ministry, the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Government and Governors of the Niger Delta regions.
Pastor Eno made the submission when a delegation from the Ministry of Niger Delta Development led by the Minister, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo.
The governor who said he was very happy that the delegation really want to see for themselves, the situation of states under the NDDC and the people they are going to work with, noted that If they have meeting regularly , they will be able to work together, discuss issues together as Niger Delta States.
While lauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inclusivity disposition in governance, he said the meeting will afford the minister the opportunity to get to meet the governors and look beyond politics and think of how to develop their various states in partnership with them.
“If we have that meeting regularly , we will be able to work with you, we will be able to come to that meeting and discuss issues together as Niger Delta States, and sit with you and speak with one voice, and we will be able to know the challenges facing the people.”
He said “We will be able to know how to help approach Mr. President and you will be able to tell us the things you can do and the things you can not do,” Eno added, “We will be able to have collaborations between our states and the Niger Delta Ministry.”
Speaking further he said “I will like to thank the approach of the President for his inclusivity in governance and it is a very welcome approach that this President is working with people across party lines.”
“You can see his appointment, there are people of other parties there,” he continued. “You could see the things he is doing. He wants to carry everyone along. I always believe that party is a platform to seek election to serve our people.”
“And once God has given us the opportunity which only him can do, next is to collaborate and serve the people,” he stated.
The Governor said that the Minister’s visit to States of the region, particularly Akwa Ibom, was apt, and explained that the development plans of the Ministry were already integral in his ARISE Agenda development manual of his administration.
Earlier, the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, said his visit to the state was part of his tour of the region to seek synergy with state governors to garner full support from the federal government to expedite development in the Niger Delta region.
Engr. Momoh who identified insecurity and infrastructure deficit as the challenge of the region expressed delight over the warm reception accorded him by the state.
The minister stressed the need to do away with all sorts of counterproductive power and conflicts pledged to make room for needed cooperation and collaborations to tackle the problems facing the Niger Delta region.