No president has developed Niger Delta like Buhari – Minister

Usani Uguru, minister of Niger Delta affairs, says the region is benefiting more from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari than any other administration.

Uguru said while the previous administrations failed to act on the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report, the Buhari-led government gave attention to it within its first year in office.

However, he expressed regret that rather than support Buhari, some people in the region were busy compiling the woes of the Niger Delta.

He said the continued destruction of oil pipelines by militants was counterproductive and harmful to the environment.

“I can say that the Niger Delta region is benefiting more under the APC regime led by President Buhari than it benefited from any other regime,” he told journalists at his Abuja residence on Thursday.

He added that “Rather than support President Muhammadu Buhari to do more, we are adding to the destruction of the environment, our ecosystem, fresh water and aquatic lives.

“I must say that the environment is ours and destroying it will not do us any good. Imagine the Ogoni reclamation is going to take 30 years, yet we have not learnt.”

Usani, who said he preferred to work quietly, added that the ministry had swung into action after the signing of the budget.

“I work for all Nigerians. So, honest and people with good intentions can be sure that my doors, both in the office and at home, are open to those with useful contributions to move the affairs of the Niger Delta forward.

“Well, I don’t work to be heard but to achieve results.

“Unfortunately, we assumed office to meet the budgeting process and the budget has just been passed, so you should expect more action now”, he said.

SOURCE: dailypostng

FG to allocate oil blocs to skilled people from Niger Delta – Kachikwu

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu has said the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government will consider people from the Niger Delta region when allocating oil blocs.

Speaking at a Town Hall in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, the Minister said though the President had not allocated any oil bloc since assumption of office but that when he eventually starts, only skilled people will benefit.

According to the Minister, the President will follow due process when he finally starts the allocation of oil blocs.

Kachikwu said, “In terms of the allocation of oil blocs to south-south indigene, since we came into position, the government has not allocated any bloc of petroleum. The president has not put any emphasis on that at all.

“He said we need to correct the mess before we begin to give advantage. Let me set something very clearly here; just like Udoma, I didn’t know the president before I got appointed here, never met him before, never spoke to him before.

“Recommendations and reputation brought me here. I haven’t been in government before, so I don’t know how it works, but since the day that I resumed, this president has never called me to give me the name of anybody, any Nigerian, north, south, east or west and say to me ‘you need to do some favour.

“On the contrary, his emphasis is that there should be no favours. Make the right decisions and be able to defend it. On the issue of oil blocs, when the time comes, it will follow very due process.

“I’m one of those who believe there’s a need to see how the south-south and corridors would benefit, because that is part of giving back. I am sure that at the appropriate time, those presented to him, he will listen to it.

“He will listen to it subject to the fact that those who have skills and the finances to develop the field will be allowed to develop the fields.”

SOURCE: Dailypostng