Niger Delta Might Lose 80 Billion Dollars Raised for Development of Gas Sector If – Kachukwu
By Francis Sadhere Warri
The Minister for Petroleum Resources (State) Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has said that the Niger Delta region might lose 80 billion dollars investment funds he has raised from China for the development of the gas sector in the region if people of the region do not embrace peace.
Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, (m) Minister for Petroleum (State), Chief Edwin Clark (left), and the Monarch of Siembiri Kingdom, HRM Charles Ayemi-Botu, during the meeting with representatives of the Niger Delta coastal states held at Chief Clark’s residence in Warri, Delta state.
Dr. Kachikwu stated this Friday when he paid a courtesy call to former minister of Information and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.
The Minister who paid Clark the visit to discuss the way forward for the Niger Delta region, advised that the region must rise above militancy and concentrate on long term benefit of peace.
He said the only way the region could benefit from the new government was for them to work together with one united voice.
He added that the 80 billion dollar he has raised for the development of the gas sector in the region could only be utilized when there is peace in the region.
He therefore called on the Niger Delta elders to caution the youths and tell them to drop their arms so that development can come to the region.
He said militancy was never a solution to the Niger Delta problem,adding that the only way the region could rise above it’s challenges was for the people to sit down and analyze what they really wanted.
According to him, the present government was looking at how to develop the region but skeptical about injecting more funds into the troubled region.
He explained that his findings revealed that the Federal Government has injected over 40 billion dollars into the Niger Delta region with nothing to show for it.
He added that despite all the money injected into the various interventionist agencies to make the region better, the funds have been mismanaged by those put in charge.
While saying that he was committed to the Niger Delta struggle, Dr. Kachikwu added that the people cannot afford not to develop the region in their life time.
On his part Chief Clark, commended the minister for honoring his invitation in such a shot notice.
He said the people of the region were ready to work with him to ensure that the needed peace in the region comes to fruition.
He advised the Minister not to listen to any group that comes to him in the name of the Niger Delta people,saying any group that comes to him must have the backing of the leaders of the region.
He added that the Niger Delta coastal states will continue to speak with one voice.
He said the ability of the people of the region to converged together in one place in such a short notice was what made them strong.
Our Correspondent reports that the visit of the Minister was witnessed by prominent Niger Delta personalities from the six coastal states of the region.
