Abuja – The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, would return to the Niger Delta in Feb. to continue negotiation with stakeholders aimed restoring normalcy in the oil rich region.
The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP), retired Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, made this known during an interactive session with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Osinbajo had earlier visited the region to reaffirm the readiness and determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to find a permanent solution to the problems of the region.
Boroh, who is also the Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, said the Federal Government was determined to enhance peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
He said interactions and follow ups had been on since the vice president’s visit to drive home the discussions during his (Osinbajo’s) last visit.
“Resolving resources based conflict is peace building and confidence building.
“It’s an on-going thing, it’s a process for peace building,” he said.
The coordinator said that one important take-home from the vice president’s visit was that people could agitate and win without resort to violence.
He said the elders, leaders, traditional rulers and youths of the Niger Delta had a duty to work for a climate of peace in order to ensure development.
The presidential aide reassured of federal government’s readiness and commitment to the development of the region and to correct what had been omitted in the pass.
“We have been having meetings within the region to achieve stability and development in the region.
“Diplomatic shuttles going on; there is also communication between various groups and communities. That is why there’s calm now,” he added.
Boroh also disclosed that the Niger Delta Regional Development master plan was ready and would be summited to the president soon.
He explained that the master plan booklet focused on human capacity development, assuring that the people of the region will find it very useful.
NAN also recalls that Boroh had earlier called on oil companies operating in the region to go beyond tokenism and invest in the environment, human capacity and infrastructure to ensure a win-win outcome and confidence building in the area.
