The recent threat by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to resume attacks on oil installations may have forced the Federal government to expedite action on its plans to rapidly develop the oil-rich but neglected region.
A statement by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, Sunday night listed the plans to include increased budgetary allocation to the Niger Delta Ministry and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), commencement of the Maritime University in Delta State, commencement of the Ogoni clean-up exercise, investment in infrastructure such as the construction of N120.6 billion Bonny-Bodo Road and N1 billion Ibaka deep sea port.
Other plans he listed were approval for the establishment of an Export Processing Zone in Delta State comprising the gas city project at Ogidigben and the deep seaport in Gbaramatu, Warri South-west Local Government Area of Delta State, approval for establishment of modular refineries, and also increased allocation for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.