Akpabio: 12,128 Abandoned Projects Discovered in Niger Delta

Ndubuisi Francis

No fewer than 12,128 abandoned projects have so far been discovered in the Niger Delta since the commencement of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) three months ago.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, when the United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary General, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, adding that the interim reports of the forensic verification exercise have been revealing.

Akpabio noted that although 9,080 projects were listed to be considered in the verification process about 12,128 projects have been discovered as abandoned with no specific ownership attached to them in less than three months of starting the audit.

Akpabio stated: “Most of these abandoned projects have become sanctuaries to criminals. Projects were embarked on without consultations. There was no initial coordination. So, as part of its mandate the ministry has adopted a programme called ‘Strategic implementation work plan,’ which will coordinate the activities of development partners and stakeholders to prevent duplication of projects in the region.”

He declared that the Niger Delta region remained the most peaceful region in the country and sought collaboration with the UN to maintain peace and development in the region.

He told the visiting UN deputy scribe that the ministry is developing a programme, “Catch Them Young,” were young people in primary and secondary schools would be enlightened on the importance of peace and the dangers of destroying oil installations, which has serious impact on the ecosystem and the nation’s economy.

He explained that since the discovery of crude oil in the Niger Delta in 1956, several interventionist agencies had been set up to address the social and environmental degradation of the area to no avail.

Akpabio said that the situation informed the present administration to set up a forensic audit process to assess and evaluate the achievements that have been recorded by the NDDC in the region since its establishment.

He acknowledged that Mohammed was a frontrunner in championing the cause of the Niger Delta region and the Ogoni clean-up during her tenure as Minister of Environment.

In her response, the UN Deputy Secretary General stated that the Niger Delta issues have remained top priority to the world body, adding that the UN would do everything within its programmes to address all issues of disillusionment in people’s expectations.

She commended the efforts of the federal government and the ministry in the way they have handled the Niger Delta affairs and laid emphasis on the need to maintain peace and stability in the region, noting that without peace there could not be any meaningful development, especially when the aspirations and rights of the people had not been recognised.