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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