Niger Delta Affairs minister pledges transparent utilisation of resources
By Deborah Coker
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh has pledged to utilise the resources of the ministry transparently.
Momoh stated this on Tuesday when he hosted members of Edo Journalists’ Forum in Abuja.
He said that the present challenges of the government were quite enormous in view of scarce financial resources.
Momoh said that whatever the ministry gets would be managed as best as it could, so that people could see for themselves.
He admitted that the expectations of the Niger Delta people were high, but that they should exercise patience with the government because of the present economic situation and low resources.
“But at least we will manage transparently the resources that are available to us. That is what we stand for.
“If you want to go to equity, you must go with clean hands; we want to restrain ourselves from so many things that others are used to doing in the past.
”I don’t want my integrity and my authority to be eroded in any way,” he said.
The minister said that the ministry was open to all the people in the region.
He said that the ministry would collaborate and work with major stakeholders to ensure that some of the responsibilities and expectations for the region were met.
“I know the expectations are quite high, so we will ensure that those we cannot do directly, we get our colleagues and stakeholders to help us.
“We will also work with other ministries and agencies to ensure that other responsibilities they handle in the region will adequately be taken care of,” he said.
Momoh charged journalists to help in whatever way they could to positively project the ministry.
Earlier, the spokesperson for the Forum, Dr Leon Usigbe said the group was on the visit to congratulate the minister on his new appointment.
“We are also here to show solidarity and to let you know that we share in the dream to create a vibrant and a new Niger Delta.
“We believe that as the goose that lays the golden egg, the Niger Delta deserves more than it currently receives.
“And we are confident that with someone like you who is a change agent and who is passionate about development, this is the best time that this region can look up to,” he said.
He said that restiveness in the region was due to youth employment.
“We know that with your ability and you being at the helm of Niger Delta Affairs, things are going to be different,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Joseph Edeh
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