Minister Wants Alternative Fund For N’ Delta Dev

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Godsday Orubebe,  has called for alternative sources of fund outside the annual budgetary allocation for the development of Niger Delta region.

He told newsmen yesterday in Abuja shortly after assuming office that alternative sources of funding had become imperative because of the competitive demands in the region.

Orubebe explained that since the ministry was underfunded, it had found it increasingly difficult  to implement some of its projects and programmes effectively.

He said the 2010 annual budget of the ministry was N155 billion, which was expected to fall to  N55 billion in 2011.

Orubebe noted that while the ministry was indebted to contractors to the tune of N8 billion, only N1.5 billion was released to defray the debt, saying: “If the ministry pays the contractors such little amount, they will not move to sites.”

He said that nine skills acquisition centres currently under construction suffered a setback due to  lack of funds.

The minister further explained that out of the 15,000 unemployed youths listed for skills empowerment programmes, the ministry was only able to train 1,200 on agriculture, also due to limited funds.

He noted that once the Niger Delta region was developed, peace would return to the area, while many unemployed youths would be engaged.

“Sustainable peace in the region will increase oil production, while the country earns more money.”