By Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
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The federal government has ruled out partisan politics in its economic diversification and industrialisation programme of the Niger Delta region.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, stated this when the Presidential Economic Team for the Niger Delta region visited Asaba, Delta State.
Usani, who led the team particularly advised that people from the Niger Delta region should not have any doubt on the commitment of the present administration to genuinely diversify the regions economy for industrial development.
Usani said: “This administration has not accepted any plan to be deceptive in our programmes, and this is the reason the government is starting up this programme in the Niger Delta region that will sustain the economy by engaging more people in this presidential initiative.â€
A statement issued by the Director Press, MNDA, Mr. Marshall Gundu, quoted the minister as saying “that given the global situation and the peculiarity of the Niger Delta region, whatever an investor is trying to do, we want it to be endorsed by the communities.
“The ministry continues at that point to ensure that whatever has been agreed between the state government and investors is propelled because it involves approvals of different requirements according to regulations to be able to carry on whatever the private investors want to do,†the statement added.
Usani said what the present administration aims to achieve by strengthening the various sectors of the economy in the Niger Delta region was to create jobs as an initiative that will boost the economy productively.
He thanked the Delta State Government for hosting the presidential economy diversification and industrialisation programme and commitment of partnership for its successful implementation in the state.
In his remarks, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the Presidential Economy Diversification and Industrialisation Initiative to Delta State is particularly encouraging, because it agrees with the steps we are consciously taking to wean our state and people from the sole dependence on oil.
Okowa was represented by the Secretary to the State Government at the event Hon. Festus Ovie Agas.
