Acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo has declared that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to the rapid development of oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta region.
This is as Rivers State governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has stated that the state government is not at war with the Federal Government of Nigeria or any of its ministries or agencies.
Osibanjo, made the declaration yesterday while speaking at a town hall meeting at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, in continuation of his tour of states and communities in the Niger Delta region.
The acting president was accompanied to the town hall meeting by former Rivers State governor and minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and the minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu.
He said, “We had during the visit of Pan-Delta Forum in November 2016, decided that we must undertake visits and engage the leadership and people of the oil producing communities, to seek to better understand their stand first hand and offer some of these communities in the Niger Delta a new vision and a new beginning.
“It is now clear the Niger Delta needs a new vision. It is no doubt at all that a new vision is required for the Niger Delta. But not only new vision, but a fresh commitment, a renewed spirit by all stakeholders including the states, federal agencies and the oil bearing communities.
“The federal government is committed in going into a partnership with the oil producing states, local governments and the private sector as well as civil society organisations for the rapid development of these communities.”