The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Development, (MNDD) Dr. Shuaib Belgore OON. has urged participants of the 6th National Council on Niger Delta Development (NCND) to show commitment and allow their expertise to reflect in the outcome of the meetings that would lead to developmental stride in the region.
This was contained in a statement signed by Charles I. Stephen, For DD (Press & Public Relations).
Belgore made this statement during his welcome address to participants at the 6th National Council, which started on Monday 22nd, April, 2024, in Asaba, Delta State.
Dr. Belgore, a gifted technocrat and an accomplished strategists noted that the National Council on Niger Delta is the highest policy advisory body on the development of the Niger Delta region. He posited that it’s core responsibility is to serve as a platform for government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and the development of initiatives that will drive innovation and growth in the region with the view of overcoming developmental challenges.
According to Belgore, ” the 6th National Council on Niger Delta with the theme: ‘Stimulating strategies for economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region’ has been carefully chosen to create alternative areas of development and untapped resources in the region, he said.
The Permanent Secretary reinstated the present administration’s commitment to improving the living conditions of the people in the region, and we have no doubt that your expertise would reflect in the outcome of the deliberations.
Setting the agenda for discussion at the technical session, Dr. Belgore who is also the secretary of the council, identified some areas such as; low response of stakeholders on the implementation of resolutions of previous council meetings; Majority of Memoranda received from stakeholders fall Short of the required standard due to none adherence to thematic areas and the non implementation of the laudable resolutions of the council.
While declaring the council meeting open, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff f. O. Oborevwori noted that NCND comes with great impact on the respective states of the Niger Delta Region.
Therefore, the need for strategic and collaborative approaches between the federal and state governments to address the challenges and put the region on the part of economic development and growth can not be overemphasized.
Rt. Hon. Sheriff, who was ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme said that over the years, the region have experienced devastating oil spills caused by industrial activities related to the extraction and transportation of oil and gas. Due to the high amount of spill, the Niger Delta Region is considered one of the most polluted regions in the world.
The Niger Delta Region is prone to environmental and infrastructural challenges and its attendant destruction of aquatic and agricultural products. As well as the lack luster construction of the East – West road, flooding and erosion occasioned by the none dredging of the River Niger and abandonments of Seaports leading to loss of economic and employment within the region.
Highlight of the Technical Meeting was the presentation of papers by speakers, the presentation of reports and memoranda by stakeholders.
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