Okowa Challenges Niger Delta Governors on Sustainable Devt

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Delta State Governor, Dr. lfeanyi Okowa, has challenged the state governments within the Niger Delta region to harness the region’s natural resources for sustainable growth and development.

Okowa made the call on Tuesday in Asaba during a two-day Niger Delta Development Forum with the theme, “Collaborative Efforts For Stimulating Investment and Inclusive Economic Growth in the Niger Delta” organised by Partnership Initiative For Niger Delta (PIND).

The governor also observed that it was important for collaborative efforts towards speedy growth of the region.

He said: “This forum is an important platform for the various states in the region to focus on challenges and issues of common interest, foster more dynamic and equitable arrangement for regional prosperity and deepen our collaboration for using the region’s natural resources for inclusive growth and sustainable development.”

Okowa described the theme of the conference as apt, explaining that “the principal objective of policy making should be to design strategies and programmes that engender inclusive growth and sustainable development; this is the focus of our administration.”

He charged participants at the forum to identify areas of co- operation among states and suggest ways on how to achieve economic diversification, inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Managing Director, Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Dan Abia, reiterated that collaborative efforts were necessary for the growth of the Niger Delta saying, “this is the time for all spectres of public, political, communal and private sector leadership to show a sincere desire and an uncanny ability to design and protect the integrity of the developmental process in the Niger-Delta region”

Mr. Micheal Harvey of the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) and Deputy Governor Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, called on all stakeholders in the region to focus on the provision of infrastructure development, peace and security to encourage investors to come to the region.

Earlier, the Executive Director of PIND Foundation, Mr. Sam Daibo, said the forum was organised to push for policy reforms and seek roles for the private sector in the development of the Niger Delta region, stressing that partnership and collaboration was necessary in providing conducive environment for private sector participation in the development of the region.

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