Implement N500bn Dev Fund For N’Delta –Forum

The forum of South-South Chambers, an umbrella body of All city chambers of commerce, industry, mines an Agriculture has called on the federal government to urgently implement the N500billion Economic Development Fund for the Niger Delta region.

President of the forum, Mr Billy Gillis-Harry made the call in an interview with The Tide at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

Mr Gillis-Harry said that the implementation of the fund would go a long way in the economic development of the Niger Delta as well as improve the welfare of  the people.

According to him, the fund when put into use would specifically encourage oil and gas business operators in the Niger Delta as well as enable indigenes of oil and gas producing communities participate in the business.

Entrusting the fund in the hands of the private sector in partnership with the public sector, he said, would facilitate the establishment of new refineries that would create job opportunities in the region, pointing out that the establishment of at least three refineries in the Niger Delta area would create employment for about 45,000 youths.

He expressed concern about the crime rate in the region and noted that the forum was embarking on a programme that would engage the teeming youth and keep them out of criminal activities, saying: “we want to reduce crime and we don’t want our youths to be called militants”.

Mr Gillis-Harry observed that Nigerian industries can not perform optimally due to the nation’s epileptic power supply but expressed optimism that President Goodluck Jonathan was addressing the issue of power vigorously.

“With his political will, I believe that Jonathan will put the power sector in order”, he said.

Shedie Okpara