News
N’Delta: Executing The 44 Projects
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved N179.13 billion for the execution of 44 projects by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in the nine states it covers. The projects include construction of bridges, roads, drainages, hospitals and the acquisition of hospital equipment, provision of potable water and educational facilities.
Among the ambitious projects that the government has lined up are the completion of the expansion of the East-West highway; the construction of the East-West coastal road from Calabar to Lagos; the coastal rail line; Inland water ways transportation; reclamation to link some oil-producing communities and environmental clean-up activities. The projects also include a N14.9 billion contract for the development of the newly established Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, sited in Bayelsa and another N5.72 billion for the upgrade of the Petroleum Technology Institute (PTI) sited in Effurum.
This is a significant departure from the previous half-hearted approach to the massive developmental challenges in the region that produces over 90 per cent of the wealth of the nation. It remains to be seen how fast the government is willing to move to actualise these projects.
Taking on the big ticket projects will certainly make a huge difference on the deplorable state of affairs in the oil-rich region. It also aligns with the broad vision of those who believe that the region deserves a Marshall Plan treatment; that bold strategy that revived Europe after the devastation of the Second World War. Since we don’t have such a grand plan yet, the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan will suffice, as it outlines a holistic approach to the challenges posed by the deleterious effects of oil exploration and exploitation in the region.
While the government tries to shift emphasis from what it terms small projects to mega projects, it needs to carefully consider the whole concept of big and small. There is need to strike a balance between the big projects that would take many months and even years to complete and the small ones that would quickly address the urgent needs of a people who are eagerly looking forward to seeing concrete development.
In essence, the concept of mega projects must be clearly defined to ensure that the ultimate goal of rapidly and comprehensively transforming the delta region is achieved. In fact, mega projects should not just be about roads, bridges and rail lines. What happens to schools, hospitals, electricity and water projects? These may be small projects, but they are essential components of the region’s development process. The Master Plan, accepted by all stakeholders as the way forward, provides a fine blend of mega and small projects required for the quick transformation of the region. This widely acclaimed roadmap for the region took four years to produce by national and international experts.
Indeed, it is a worthy compass that should be adequately funded in order to translate the lofty plans into tangible projects and programmes. For instance, a coastal road proposed in the plan to run from Calabar to Lagos, is estimated to cost about N300 billion. Obviously, such huge projects call for collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders.
Since the Yar’Adua administration, like its predecessor accepted to work with the Master Plan, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, which is facilitating its implementation, should be adequately funded to deliver on the critical sectors outlined in the plan. If all the stakeholders, which include the three tiers of government, oil companies, international donor agencies and the NDDC, were to put their hands on the plough, all sectors would be developed simultaneously without having to place emphasis on the size of the projects. In several cases, small is deemed beautiful in meeting the basic needs of the populace.
Incidentally, all the stakeholders come under the umbrella of Partners for Sustainable Development [PSD] Forum. According to the Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha, “the PSD Forum, which is a direct product of the Master Plan, is a platform for collaboration amongst the development stakeholders of the Niger Delta region”, He noted that the body serves as a clearing house of information during project planning, budgeting and implementation. “It ensures that stakeholders harmonise their activities to avoid undue duplication of efforts and waste of resources”.
Such collaborative efforts, which derive from the Master Plan, are essential in the quest for sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The 29- kilometre Ogbia-Nembe road being built by the NDDC in partnership with the Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] is one good example of the kind of team work required to turn things around. The N9.6 billion project illustrates the kind of challenges confronting the Niger Delta. It cuts through the swamps with nine bridges and 99 culverts. The terrain is such that four metres of clay soil has to be dug out and then sand-filled to provide a base for the road. This road is going to an area in the Niger Delta that was written off in the past as one of those areas that would never be linked with motor way because of its difficult terrain.
If all the stakeholders were to play their roles appropriately, there would be little to complain about and the distinction between mega, medium or micro projects would not be necessary. It is unfortunate that many states and local governments in the region have been misapplying the funds meant for such basic amenities as potable water, hospitals and schools. They should be held accountable for the funds they receive. Mere tokenism is no longer satisfactory to Niger Deltans.
It is only recently that the Rivers State government, for example, took up the challenge in earnest and started building multi-billion model primary and secondary schools, as well as state-of-the-art hospitals in all the local government areas of the state. Sadly, this appears to be an exception as most of the other states are still lagging behind. The Rivers example needs to be replicated in all the Niger Delta states, so as to free the interventionist agencies to concentrate on regional projects that would rapidly improve the lives of the people.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole was not far from the truth when he accused the governors from the south-South region of squandering resources meant for the development of their domain.
Bankole said that even though Nigeria had not been fair to the Niger Delta, which has been producing the funds with which a city like Abuja was built, the region, should however, hold their leaders responsible for their woes. He also said that with the huge amount of money the Niger Delta States collect from the Federation Account, there was no reason why the quality of governance in a state like Lagos should be better than what is obtained in the Niger Delta states.
Agbu is editor’s guest
Ifeatu Agbu
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.
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