Osinbajo issues directives on Buhari’s plans to fast-track vision for Niger Delta

President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a set of directives which will enable the Federal Government accelerate the implementation of its new vision for the development of the Niger Delta.

The directives were issued by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) when he met with the inter-ministerial working group following up on the renewed Niger Delta interactive engagements of the Buhari administration recently.

This was revealed in a statement released by the Office of the Vice President through the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Laolu Akande.

“For instance, the Federal Government has given all contractors including those handling Niger Delta Development Commission projects in the region a 30-day ultimatum from today to return to site or face prosecution.

“The Federal Government has also specifically directed that the list of all contractors who have not returned to site within the stipulated period be compiled and submitted to the Ministry of Justice and the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission for investigation and prosecution,” Akande said.

He further stated that a concerted implementation work plan that would respond to the developmental issues and projects proposed by Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has been prepared.

According to Akande, fresh mandates are also being issued to all the relevant MDAs as appropriate.

He said, “This includes the Federal Government’s directive to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs; Environment; Power, Works and Housing to proceed with the design and implementation of work plans in line with the administration’s new vision for the region.

“Ministries and agencies of government involved in furthering the establishment of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, have also been directed to come up with a clear path to the eventual actualisation of the objective including consideration for a possible and timely take-off grant for the university.”

Akande said that Osinbajo at the meeting, also revealed plans to continue presidential visits to the remaining states of the oil communities in order to effectively conclude the interactive engagements with the people of the region with the present administration.

“Specific instructions have also been given to the Ministry of Environment to ensure and report on the progress of the Ogoni Clean-up, a project for which its office is now located in Rivers State and is functional.

“A directive has also been issued to the Ministry of Environment for a plan to commence considerations for the clean-up of other polluted areas in the oil-producing communities.”

Niger Delta inter-ministerial group members comprises officials from the presidency, all relevant ministries including the Petroleum Resources, Niger Delta Affairs, Environment, Power, Works and Housing and office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme among other MDAs.