By Anthony Beauty

The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has called for cooperation between the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and State Governments to ensure that the Niger Delta region benefits from high-quality projects under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Oborevwori expressed this during a courtesy visit from Hon. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and his delegation at Government House, Asaba on Saturday.

Governor Oborevwori, while congratulating Minister Momoh on his appointment, stressed the importance of collaboration to enhance the living conditions of the region’s residents. He pointed out the pressing need to address infrastructure challenges, particularly in areas like road projects, security, and shore protection, as well as youth restiveness.

He also emphasized the significance of addressing erosion issues and improving the region’s road network, highlighting that the Niger Delta plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy due to its wealth production. Governor Oborevwori underscored the importance of ensuring that contractors and those awarding contracts prioritize quality over shortcuts.

He said: “A few days ago I received the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi who was here to look at the state of the Federal roads in the State. He saw for himself the state of the Warri-Benin Road and also the East-West Road. “I am happy for your appointment because you are somebody from this region and I know that when you appoint somebody from the region he will do something that he will be remembered for.

“You are already aware of the pains and challenges we are passing through because you have said it all but its not just about knowing the challenges and not dealing with them.

“You may know what is happening and not dealing with the challenges. You have passed through the road to Port Harcourt, the whole area is bad.

“This region produces the highest wealth that we use in running this country so attention ought to be paid to the region.

“This is the opportunity you have to put the records straight, those that are going to be in charge whether contractors or those giving out the contracts should do the right thing because what is causing this problem is shortcut.

“As a Minister for the Niger Delta, do your best to ensure that the region gets the best in terms of road projects, security, shore protection among others. Don’t also forget the issue of youth restiveness.

“Most of our riverine areas are being taken over by erosion and we need to also look at our roads and how we can fix them. That’s the reason the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta were created to focus on the Niger Delta”.

Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering high-quality projects and mentioned the approval of over N5.5 billion for civil servants’ promotion arrears. He also mentioned plans to collaborate with Julius Berger on several projects and allocate significant funds for the construction of federal roads.

“When I came in, I said I need quality jobs and we have inaugurated some projects and we are consolidating on the old projects and finishing them while also embarking on new ones.

“We are bringing Julius Berger to execute projects in Warri and Effurun. Exco has approved N78bn and between now and next month we will sign the agreement because we are mobilising them with 25 per cent.

“Most of those roads are Federal Roads. Is it the PTI junction, DSC and Effurun roundabouts or the Enerhen junction to Marine quarters?

“These are all Federal roads and if a Governor can approve N78bn to construct Federal roads then we need to collaborate to work for the people. Politics has come and gone and it is now time for us to see how we can develop the region,” he said

In response, Minister Momoh explained that their delegation’s visit aimed to assess the current situation and challenges in the Niger Delta region. He stressed the need for collaboration between the Ministry, state governments, and other stakeholders to promote development and peace in the region. He mentioned that the Ministry and NDDC were ready to work with state governments to identify and prioritize major projects that would benefit the Niger Delta region.

He said: “As Governors of the states you are the authority and custodians of the states and as far as the Ministry is concerned, we need to collaborate with the Governors of the states in order to bring about development and peace to the Niger Delta region.

“We are here to carry out the assignment of President Bola Tinubu of the renewed hope agenda with eight presidential priorities of Mr President which if fully pursued vigorously Nigeria will be better for it.

“We have directed the NDDC on how to partner with state governments in order to target major projects executed across the Niger Delta and if the Ministry can come together with the state governments to identify some of these areas, I believe that we will do better than we were doing before”