Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has called on the Federal government to encourage the peaceful oil producing communities in Nigeria through involving them in its policy programmes.
The Governor made the call while receiving in audience, a delegation of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, led by Pastor Usani Uguru Usani
who visited him.
The Governor renewed the call for Abia State to be included in the amnesty programme of the Federal government, maintaining that Abia State is perhaps, the only State of the Niger Delta region without youth restiveness and without records of pipeline vandalism as the State has been consistent in ensuring that the youths in the oil producing communities maintain peace.
He further advocated for making education and health enablers in the programmes of the Ministry of Nigeri Delta Affairs
Governor Ikpeazu equally stressed the need for the Minstry of Niger Delta to complete the Obehe-Akwa Ibom State road, Aba -Azumini road as well as other road projects it has abandoned in Abia State and stressed the need to have interconnectivity of roads in the Niger Delta States.
He disclosed that his administration has created two alternative roads to Akwa Ibom for easy access to markets in Abia State.
According to him, it is time for the member States of the Niger Delta region to do a rethink and fastrack development in the entire region and congratulated the the Ministry on its efforts towards making better policies for the development of the Niger Delta region.
Earlier, the Minister, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani informed that the team was in Abia State for the 3rd National Council Meeting on Niger Delta Region, with the theme” Fostering Synergy and Institutional Coordination for Development in Niger Delta Region”
According to him, there is need to synergize with the stakeholders in the Niger Delta region so as to make the Ministry achieve its goals in the Niger Delta region. He disclosed that the concerns of Abia State was captured in the 2018 budget, informing that so far, the erosion site in Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA of the State is one of the sites being handled.
Pastor Usani appreciated the industrial thrive of Abia State government and said the State is in the heart of the presidency, hence, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been visiting the State and would be in the State for the conference.
