Buhari meets Olu of Warri, Ohinoyi, assures Niger Delta of rapid development

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Abuja reassured the people of Niger Delta that his administration would continue to support rapid development in the region by consolidating on all ongoing projects.

The President, who gave the reassurance when he received the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, at the Presidential Villa, pledged that his administration would continue to initiate new developmental projects to create more economic opportunities and jobs for the people.

He reiterated the federal government commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region for economic and social activities to thrive.

According to him, developing the region remains a priority for his administration, adding that under his watch, every region in the country would witness increased investments in critical infrastructure.

The President appealed to the people of Niger Delta to complement ongoing efforts by the federal government to bring more development in the region by maintaining peace, security and harmony.

Buhari promised to look into some of the concerns raised by the delegation, including the dredging of Escravos bar for Warri and Koko ports, the gas revolution industrial park and EPZ project in Ogidigben, the ecological challenges in Ode-Itsekiri, Ugborodo, Orere/Yanagho and Ogheye-Eghoroke.

Besides, the President commended Itsekiri people for producing men of strong convictions, such as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption (PACAC), Prof Itse Sagay.

Ikenwole commended Buhari for redeeming his campaign promises on the fight against insurgency and corruption, as well as the successes recorded in reducing criminal acts of vandalism of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.

Addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting, Ikenwole, who led a delegation of Itsekiri leaders, including accompanied by former governor of Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, decried the deplorable condition of the ports, which he said has been abandoned by government.

‎Uduaghan, on his part, listed other challenges faced by the people to include insecurity, ecological problems and infrastructure among other critical issues, which he said formed the crux of discussions with the President during the visit.