Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno has urged stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region to evolve a unified strategy for the development of the region.
He gave the charge while delivering a goodwill message, Friday, at the Niger Delta Stakeholders' Summit organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor emphasized the need for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to work collaboratively with the state governments for the advancement of the region.
"As a region, the Niger Delta must evolve a unified strategy that will drive development efforts going forward.
"While I recognize the efforts of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the NDDC, IOCs, multilateral agencies and other organizations in developing the region over the years, I like to quickly observe that the need for a harmonized strategy remains an overriding imperative for the sustainable growth and development of the Niger Delta Region," he noted.
The Governor disclosed that the ARISE Agenda of his administration was big on agriculture, rural development, infrastructural maintenance, security management and educational advancement, noting that the NDDC was expected to collaborate with the state governments for the implementation of these developmental programmes.
"The ARISE Agenda, our economic and governance blueprint is big on agriculture, rural development, infrastructural maintenance, security management and educational advancement. These are some of the areas the NDDC was, and still is expected to work collaboratively with the state governments for the region to advance."
He also advocated for the creation of jobs for the youths as a panacea for the restiveness which has characterized the region over the years.
"We must redouble our efforts to create jobs for our youths, we must train them in marketable skills, encourage them to absorb and develop an entrepreneurial mindset, so the restiveness may continue to dissipate."
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the event and former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan commended the Commission for bringing stakeholders together to fashion out the way forward for the region.
In his remarks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged the efforts of the current management of the NDDC at completing projects abandoned by successive management of the Commission, urging them to faithfully execute the mandate of the Commission.
Represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President promised to complete the East-West Road and commence the Niger Delta portion of the Lagos - Calabar Coastal Highway.
The event was attended by members of the National Assembly, governors, ministers and other stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region.
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