Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has demanded a comprehensive audit of all abandoned projects by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) across the nine states of the region.
He spoke when he received in audience at the Government House, Owerri, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who was in Imo State on official duty with his key officials.
Governor Uzodimma also suggested that the Amnesty Programme of the ministry be strengthened to enable the people, particularly the youths of the region, to have commensurate value from the programme.
Uzodimma requested the minister to mop up all federal allocations meant for the region and deploy them appropriately to ensure that the area is given what is due and appropriate to it in terms of infrastructure.
He promised to continue to support and partner with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the NDDC and other agencies under the ministry, to achieve the expected goals.
He called on the youths of the Nigerian Delta region to desist from vandalising NDDC projects or federal government assets in the region, appealing to the federal government to intensify efforts at creating employment and other opportunities that will make life more meaningful for the teeming youths of the region.
Uzodimma challenged the ministry and the NDDC to take serious interest in the documentation and completion of the abandoned projects in the region, noting that, “where all the abandoned projects are completed the region will be more than 80 per cent developed.”
He expressed delight to receive the minister and his team in Imo State and commended Engr. Momoh on the changes he has so far initiated in the ministry since he assumed office.
Earlier, Momoh said that they came “to inspect ongoing projects of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and the Niger Delta Development Commission and to solicit greater partnership and cooperation of the governors of the nine states of the region.”
The minister maintained that “the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and the NDDC are never in competition with the states rather they are in partnership for the progress and development of the region.”
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