Technocrat Media Nigeria
ABUJA – Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that over 12,128 abandoned projects have been uncovered by the interim reports from the ongoing forensic verification exercise of activities of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Mr. Akpabio said the abandoned projects have no specific ownership attached to them, explained that the new development was against the 9,080 projects listed by the government to be considered in the verification process.
Vanguard Newspaper reports that Mr. Akpabio made the disclosure during the visit of the United Nations, Deputy Secretary-General, Hajia Amina Mohammed, to him in Abuja.
The minister used the opportunity to seek collaboration with United Nations to maintain peace and development in the Niger Delta region, which he described as the most peaceful region in Nigeria.
He said “Most of these abandoned projects have become sanctuaries to criminals. Projects were embarked on without consultations.
“There was no initial coordination. So, as part of its mandate, the Ministry has adopted a programme called ‘Strategic Implementation Work Plan’, SIWP, which will coordinate the activities of development partners and stakeholders to prevent duplication of projects in the region.”
Mr. Akpabio, explained that the Ministry is developing a programme “Catch them young” where young people in primary and secondary schools are enlightened on the importance of peace and the dangers of destroying oil installations, which has serious impact on the ecosystem and the nation’s economy.
In her response, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajia Amina Mohammed, noted that issues bordering on the Niger Delta region are peculiar to the heart of the UN and would do everything within UN programmes to address the issues of the Niger Delta people.
Ms Mohammed emphasised on the need to maintain peace and stability in the region, as peace is the driver of any meaningful development.
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