The post-amnesty plans of the Federal Government were given more teeth yesterday as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved about N200 billion for the execution of 44 projects in the nine states that make up the Niger Delta region. The states are Akwa Ibom, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. The projects involve the construction of bridges, roads, hospitals, provision of potable water, environmental impact assessment, among others, as reported exclusively by THISDAY last week. Information and Communi-cation Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili, who disclosed this at the end of the FEC meeting, said the projects would go a long way in opening up the Niger Delta and creating jobs in the region. The minister said the projects would be executed by the Niger Delta Development Commis-sion (NDDC) and the Petro-leum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). Although the minister did not disclose the source of the funding of the projects, THISDAY gathered that they would be funded partly from Federal Government's share of the $2 billion excess crude shared a fortnight ago among the three tiers of government – local, state and Federal. A breakdown of the projects showed that Abia has four projects valued at N9 billion; Akwa Ibom, four projects valued at N10.2 billion; Bayelsa, six projects valued at N29 billion; Cross Rivers, three projects valued at N6.6 billion; and Delta, six projects valued at N50 billion. Others are Edo, three projects valued at N7 billion; Imo, four projects valued at N6.5 billion; Ondo, three projects valued at N22.5 billion; and Rivers, 11 projects valued at 35.6 billion. The projects also include a N14.9 billion contract for the development of the newly established Federal Polytech-nic of Oil and Gas, sited in Bayelsa and another N5.72 billion for the upgrade of the Petroleum Technology Institute (PTI) sited in Effrum, Delta State. Akunyili also said FEC set aside N412.4 million for the construction of six units of two-bedroom duplex for the National College of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna the National College of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, which trains senior executive level manpower for the oil and gas sector. FEC, the minister said, also awarded contracts in the sum of $785,968.00 for the supply and installation of radiology equipment for hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Akunyili explained that council approved the contract to enable the FCT administration improve its healthcare delivery system through the provision of adequate modern facilities to the hospitals in the territory. In addition, she said, council considered and approved the memo by the President for the award of contract for the supply of one unit M1-17 Search And Rescue (SAR) helicopter for use by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the cost of $14.5 million. This became imperative because of the great expansion in the activities of the agency over the years to enable it enhance its statutory functions.



http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=158368

it will be better if that money is shared among all citizens of niger delta. it will be more better that way.

It is only Niger Deltans that are enjoying in this administration.

I agree, it will be better if they share the money amongst the people of the state,
Afterall Qatar gives oil money directly to its citizens

@bigmodo
given , and solving the problem ae two different things

Nezan:

It is only Niger Deltans that are enjoying in this administration.

Of course, you would get benefits if you fight for your right.

Anyway, development is never what we asked for. We asked for control of our own resources. Hopefully, we will achieve that one day.

So if we the Deltan's are not even given this much money to do road,and other basic amenities as measure above, can't a governor of a state use his own knowledge to build the state, with the state money being an oil rich state?, well this another true way for Ibiro and his brother to loot, and now Ibiro would be so happy because he would get his share, as the chairman of the NDDC na e boy.

Anwyay i wish the best for the Niger and not only that, the whole country, Why was Electricity not included?

Mr President, can't there be a stand by power supply in the Nation? and all road in the country tied? if this two things is done, am sure every other thing would fall in place, Men need LIGHT.

thievesssssssssssss

bigmodo:

it will be better if that money is shared among all citizens of niger delta. it will be more better that way.

NSNA:

I agree, it will be better if they share the money amongst the people of the state,
Afterall Qatar gives oil money directly to its citizens

We're talking about sustainable development that will improve the lot of ND people for generations to come and all you can think about is short term share of the national cake?

texazzpete:

We're talking about sustainable development that will improve the lot of ND people for generations to come and all you can think about is short term share of the national cake?

Nah. . . . I agree with the guy. . . . why should he trust some politician not to steal the N200bn going by antecedents?. . . . . perhaps it would be better if they just shared the money amongst the people like they do in Ireland, Qatar, Alaska etc.

Oh, now we admit that some of our politicians are likely to steal the money rather than apply it in developing the ND. Are we now admitting that corruption is one of the primary reasons why development has been stalled?

Kobojunkie:

Oh, now we admit that some of our politicians are likely to steal the money rather than apply it in developing the ND. Are we now admitting that corruption is one of the primary reasons why development has been stalled?

I guess this is addressed to me. . . . development has never been the crux of the issue with the Niger-Delta struggle. . . . rather, we talk about resource control and land rights. . . . infact, Maslows heirarchy of needs states that increased development of Niger-Delta will only awaken the people to call for increased devolution and resource control. . . . . corruption being endemic in society is what it is. . . . but corruption is no excuse to deny rights. . . . it is rather nauseating to use corruption as an excuse, especially when the tools for fighting corruption lie in the hands of the aggressor.

I personally dont understand how the niger-delta manages to constitute 9 states, imo, ondo abia are already better off than delta, they should direct this oney at the proper niger delta people 200 billion seems like a lot of money but divided between nine states, i know one way or the other delta will once again manage to get the least amount of projects

Ibime:

Nah. . . . I agree with the guy. . . . why should he trust some politician not to steal the N200bn going by antecedents?. . . . . perhaps it would be better if they just shared the money amongst the people like they do in Ireland, Qatar, Alaska etc.

The key words is 'projects'. As long as they have been named and budget has been publicly announced for them, they'll likely get done. Or at least you guys can scream blue murder if they haven't been done.

N200 billion seems like a huge sum to that guy. But let's assume there are 10 million people in ND. That comes to 20,000 per head

Anyone who is willing to give up the possibility of those projects being executed for just N20k needs to re-evaluate his priorities.

texazzpete:



Anyone who is willing to give up the possibility of those projects being executed for just N20k needs to re-evaluate his priorities.

yup

Another government magic.

Hope it really happens. Our counrty is really backward in basic infrastucture. Other african countries are leaving us behind. It shouldn't be only in the nier delta but the whole of nigeria. They should deal with the power and water problem especially. 2009 and nigeria still doesn't have constant power supply and people are still going out to fetch water. If we do not sold these problems, i dont think we will be able to boost in front of ghanians or angolans etc. These countries are rapidly deveping in all aspect of live. Nigeria need to step up his game. seriously.

FG has approved 200 billion for niger delta development, who is the money going to? The same corrupt leaders of niger delta serving at NDDC. FG should better handle the projects their selves or either the money will lose or the projects they'll try to do will not last long.

from BY with love. Peace out.

the whole of nigeria, iincluding abuja as well, that is already well developed, fo to niger delta, they ve some catching up to do before it spreads to the rest of the country

My God! Another means of making more (cabals) rich in the region.
who's gonna supervice the projects?

Ibime:

Of course, you would get benefits if you fight for your right.

Simple!

texazzpete:

We're talking about sustainable development that will improve the lot of ND people for generations to come and all you can think about is short term share of the national cake?

texazzpete:

The key words is 'projects'. As long as they have been named and budget has been publicly announced for them, they'll likely get done. Or at least you guys can scream blue murder if they haven't been done.

N200 billion seems like a huge sum to that guy. But let's assume there are 10 million people in ND. That comes to 20,000 per head

Anyone who is willing to give up the possibility of those projects being executed for just N20k needs to re-evaluate his priorities.

Gbam!

joxiri:

I personally dont understand how the niger-delta manages to constitute 9 states, imo, ondo abia are already better off than delta, they should direct this oney at the proper niger delta people 200 billion seems like a lot of money but divided between nine states, i know one way or the other delta will once again manage to get the least amount of projects

DON'T KNOW ABT ONDO,IMO&ABIA,THEY HAVE OIL SO THEY DESERVE IT PERIOD.

This is no where near enough, we need massive infrastructural transformation just like Abuja and 100% resource control.

'make everybody answer their papa name'

^
Yes 100% resource control is the answer.

200 billion is a paltry sum. No time scales are given either, so it could be a paltry 200 billion for the next century.

This is deception.

joxiri:

I personally dont understand how the niger-delta manages to constitute 9 states, imo, ondo abia are already better off than delta, they should direct this money at the proper niger delta people 200 billion seems like a lot of money but divided between nine states, i know one way or the other delta will once again manage to get the least amount of projects

true talk.niger delta is just rivers,bayelsa and delta state.it however extends to imo,abia,akwaibom and edo.ondo and crossriver are not part of delta in anyway.the politics is however based on oil production.in my personal view rivers,bayelsa and delta need special attention.especially in the riverine area.

Ibime:

Of course, you would get benefits if you fight for your right.

Anyway, development is never what we asked for. We asked for control of our own resources. Hopefully, we will achieve that one day.

You think the idiots in Abuja would have paid any attention to our region if not for the fact that the boys nearly brought the economy to a halt,with crude export nose-diving from 3 million BPD in 2007 to 1.4 million BPD in 2009,thanks to the action of the boys.

The FG knows that if they don't dangle enough carrots,crude exports may come to zero and the effect would be so catastrophic,hence they came up with an amnesty package for people that were not on trial in the first place,not to talk of being in prison

Well I still doubt their sincerity,our people must be employed in sensitive positions in the oil companies,including NNPC and its many subsidiaries,Yara dull and Rilwanu can scheme all they want,when we're ready,they'll know.For all I care,they can establish colleges or universites of petroleum studies to train senior executive manpower for the oil and gas sector,they will all work on the oil and gas deposits in their villages

rasputinn:

You think the idiots in Abuja would have paid any attention to our region if not for the fact that the boys nearly brought the economy to a halt,with crude export nose-diving from 3 million BPD in 2007 to 1.4 million BPD in 2009,thanks to the action of the boys.

The FG knows that if they don't dangle enough carrots,crude exports may come to zero and the effect would be so catastrophic,hence they came up with an amnesty package for people that were not on trial in the first place,not to talk of being in prison

The boys done well!. . . . . still, more to do. . . .watch this space.

rasputinn:

You think the idiots in Abuja would have paid any attention to our region if not for the fact that the boys nearly brought the economy to a halt,with crude export nose-diving from 3 million BPD in 2007 to 1.4 million BPD in 2009,thanks to the action of the boys.

The FG knows that if they don't dangle enough carrots,crude exports may come to zero and the effect would be so catastrophic,hence they came up with an amnesty package for people that were not on trial in the first place,not to talk of being in prison

Well I still doubt their sincerity,our people must be employed in sensitive positions in the oil companies,including NNPC and its many subsidiaries,Yara dull and Rilwanu can scheme all they want,when we're ready,they'll know.For all I care,they can establish colleges or universites of petroleum studies to train senior executive manpower for the oil and gas sector,they will all work on the oil and gas deposits in their villages

@ abagworo
I dont see gas being burnt into the air for the inhabitants of those so called niger delta states to inhale like delta and rivers state

joxiri:


@ abagworo
I dont see gas being burnt into the air for the inhabitants of those so called niger delta states to inhale like delta and rivers state

bayelsa is also affected.in nigeria everything is politicised.the aim of creating nddc should have been riverine focused.what should be created is supposed to be known as mangrove action commission whose aims should be solely to develop rapidly the riverine and mangrove zone with naturally difficult terrain.

Wt is it wt these niger delta ppl and money, dts all dey seem to wnt. If they nt happy wt the way they r treatd and the development of d area, they should hold thier gov'nors accountable nd nt bothr the rest of d country, wt is d point of giving dem all dis money, all dt will happen is the gov'nors will eat it again, nd they will come bck for more, lets stop giving thm until they start using it rite or demanding more from thier theiving gov'nors

We will look back into this in another year to see what has been done with that money, to see what kind of development they have seen, or if nothing at all will change.
Time will tell and eyes are watching