Oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region got a new deal from the Federal Government on Friday.
Niger Delta development will henceforth be community-driven for oil-bearing areas to have direct impact of oil wealth.
The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, who unfolded the new vision on Friday, said the federal government would begin a partnership with all the stakeholders in the oil industry to concentrate development in oil-producing communities.
Speaking at the Chief Diepreye Alameiyesiegha Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the acting President said the partnership would involve the local government, the oil-producing communities, the oil companies, the private sector and civil society organisations.
Osinbajo led a delegation of minsters, heads of agencies and other federal cabinet members to Bayelsa to interact with Niger Delta stakeholders as part of efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to find lasting peace in the region.
Women, youths, traditional rulers, captains of industries, political office holders and other government functionaries mobilised in their numbers to participate in the dialogue.
Osinbajo was accompanied by the Minister for Niger Delta, Usani Usani Uguru, Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu , his counterpart in Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri and other federal cabinet members.
The team, whose chopper landed at the heliport of the Government House in Yenagoa, was received by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah, Dickson’s cabinet members and some lawmakers from the state.
After a brief meeting in the Government House, the team headed for the state’s Traditional Rulers’ Council where the Chairman of the council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, conferred a chieftaincy title on the acting President.
Explaining the new vision, Osinbajo said, “So, we come today on behalf of the President, Commander in Chief with my cabinet colleagues and heads of relevant agencies to propose a new vision and to signpost a new era to the people of the oil-producing communities of this state and Nigeria.
“The federal government will begin a partnership with oil-producing communities, the local government, the oil companies, the private sector and civil society organisation for the rapid development of these communities.”