The Senate has urged governments and all stakeholders to unite in purpose and address the pressing challenges and explore the immense opportunities in Niger Delta region for good of the people.
The Chairmen, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Affairs, Sen. Babajide Ipisangba, said this on Thursday at a meeting with officials of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Ipisangba said the National Assembly was committed via legislative intervention toward fostering sustainable development, peace, promotion of prosperity for communities in the region.
According to him, the region is of great significance, rich in natural resources and human capital.
He expressed concern that the region over the years has faced numerous challenges including environmental degradation, economic disparities and social unrest.
He said the issues demand the immediate and collective attention of all including representatives of the people.
He said it was the responsibility of the lawmakers as representatives of the people to ensure that the voices and concerns of the Niger Deltans were heard and and addressed.
He said the joint meeting was a testament to the National Assembly’s dedication to collaborative governance.
He said the collaboration was a demonstration of National Assembly’s commitment to a unified approach in tackling the complexities of the region.
He said the goal was to develop comprehensive strategies that would drive sustainable development, improve living standards and create an environment of peace and stability.
He said the outcome of the meeting would have the potential to transform the lives of millions and shape the future of the Niger Delta.
He expressed hope of a prosperous future for the Niger Delta.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Dibagwu Eugene, said there was need for the National Assembly to intensify its oversight responsibilities on project implementation of Ministry of Niger Delta.
This, he said, was to ensure prudent and judicious utilisation of the budgetary provisions approved by the National Assembly.
He said the interactive session was very critical and that the National Assembly would like to know if there were any challenges on Implementation of budgets and how it could mitigate the challenges.
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, commended the National Assembly for extension of implementation of capital component of 2023 the 2024 budgets to Dec. 31.
“Let me thank the entire National Assembly for extending the last cycle of the budget because, if that was not done, there could have been a lot problems for our ministry.
“It could have been difficult because quite a number of things will not be done because at the end of the day, you will be asked to return money and that money is never recycled to the ministry,” he said.
He said some of the challenges of the ministry on implementation of budget in the past was the issue of returning of unused funds for project execution.
This, he said, had resulted in non-completion of projects even when there was fund in the ministry’s vote.
Momoh said the extension of implementation of capital component of the budget was a good policy of government, adding that the measure by National Assembly was assisting in curbing waste, given the procurement process.
He said he meet the implementation of the 2023 budget mid-way in September and that the ministry had set strategies in motion for implementation of the projects.
