Jonathan to Inaugurate National Council on Niger Delta

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe

President Goodluck Jonathan is billed to inaugurate the National Council on Niger Delta in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State today, a day after the council held its maiden meeting, where the recommendations flowing from the stakeholders’ conference were considered and ratified.

The inauguration is coming as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Thursday assured that his ministry’s drive for  development in the region was not in any way intended to take over the functions of any organisation or intervention agency such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The 40-member council, which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), comprises representatives of governmental, institutional bodies, development partners, multilateral and bilateral organisations, and oil exploration companies.

The council is mandated to give direction to the development partners operating in the Niger Delta, ensure the alignment and coordination of policies and programmes intended for the region, ensure the full realisation of uncompleted projects as well as give full impetus to new ones while eliminating duplication.

Orubebe, who is the chairman of the council, disclosed at the inaugural meeting of the council in Uyo, yesterday that President Jonathan  is to formally inaugurate the council today.

“As you already know, the National Council on Niger Delta, like any other council in the federal establishments, serves as a coordinating forum to address issues and challenges in its area of jurisdiction. In this respect, the council has the responsibility to approve policies, projects and programmes, and coordinate efforts designed to drive developmental activities in the Niger Delta.

“In approving the National Council on Niger Delta Affairs, government foresees the harmonisation of development efforts in the Niger Delta and accordingly mandated it, among others, to give direction to the development partners operating in the region, ensure the alignment and coordination of policies and programmes  intended for the area and ensure the full realisation of projects started and give impetus to new ones while avoiding duplication by operators,” he said.

The council, he said, is also expected to bring back trust between the citizens and states and create a friendly environment for effective multi-stakeholder engagement, especially re-engaging communities alongside their leaders, in the development process.

The minister noted that the observations and suggestions arising from the stakeholders’ conference, which held between  Monday and Wednesday in the Akwa Ibom State capital, would be incorporated when operationalising the Niger Delta Action Plan.

The  Niger Delta Action Plan, which is a collaborative development framework for the region, coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) working with other  development partners.