BENIN CITY – The Deputy Governor of Edo, Mr Philip Shaibu says execution of projects that have direct bearing on the people would curb youths restiveness in the Niger Delta.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Shaibu made the call in a programme tagged “Participatory and Response Governance for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta” in Benin on Thursday.
Represented by Mr Damian Lawani, Chairman, Edo House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation, Shaibu said government must use the bottom-top approach in projects execution in the region.
“The people must be made to be part of projects initiation and execution if the desire of bringing development and ensuring long lasting peace is to be achieved in the area.
“We need projects that have site cycles bearing on the people,” he said.
The deputy governor who also called for transparency and proper management of funds, challenged the people to always ask questions on activities connected to the development of the region.
According to him, most crisis and challenges in the region would have been reduced, or eliminated, if funds meant for development were properly utilised.
“We are getting the money but it is not being channeled for the intended purpose. The people must always ask questions about how the funds are being utilised.
“It is unfortunate that some of those who are supposed to ask questions are friends of those whose duties are to monitor the utilisation of the funds.
“We must educate the people that their interest is what is at stake, so they must ask questions relating to how the funds are utilised,” he said.
Also speaking, Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) said the programme is to engage government agencies saddled with implementing development projects in the Niger Delta, to strengthen transparency and accountability.
“Our ultimately goal has been to work with our government to promote the needed growth and development of the region by ensuring that the mandates setting up the institutions are implemented,” he said.
