By Theresa Igata

The development of the Niger Delta region to many is akin to the proverbial camel passing through the needle’s eye, but this has been debunked as the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said the Niger Delta should be seen as a special development zone while also calling for peace in the region if there must be sustained development.

The Vice president who was on a fact-finding visit to Gbaramatu kingdom and the Nigerian Maritime University, Kurutie, Delta state while speaking  to members of the community of Gbaramatu kingdom on preparing for the future, alluded to the fact that the Niger Delta is beset with poor infrastructure (schools, hospitals etc.), severe pollution and daily pipeline vandalisation which has hampered development.

According to Osinbajo, “We must prepare for the future. The Niger Delta that we see today is an area of poor, infrastructure (schools, hospitals) and severe pollution and daily pipeline vandalisation. In 2014 alone, 3700 of pipeline vandalisation and from January to June 2016 there were over 1,447 incidences of vandalisation. Like most of Nigeria, years of official neglect, corruption and malfeasance of oil companies has created a massive setback. It is time to prepare for the future. Our future is not that of environmental degradation but that of development… the future is already here”.

“The ND of today, aside environmental degradation between 1998 and 2015, over 20,000 persons have died from fire incidences arising from bridges of the pipelines. Literacy is poor and there are health challenges especially as a result of environmental pollution”.

He however added that many of the initiatives (NDDB, NDDC, Amnesty etc.) to change the story of the ND have not been able to meet the objectives that was set for them which has led to having uncompleted and abandoned infrastructural projects.

Government to the rescue

The VP who was optimistic of a fully developed ND said that the Federal Government in show of its commitment to the development of the ND and Nigeria as a whole has made provision for the commencement of the Lagos Calabar coastal railway in the 2017 budget.

According to him, “The President has directed the ministry of petroleum to work quickly to see the realisation of all of the objectives of implementing the educational institution which has passed the second reading at the NASS so that the Maritime University can come to fusion soon. There’s also the full implementation of Kogberegbe gas city project with meetings coming up in February 2017 and potential investors. Revenues can only come when there’s peace and progress.

He however enjoined communities in the region to support the Cleanup and the entire remediation ND while asking all communities to prevent vandalisation and participate in commercial oil exploitation activities.

The governor of Delta state Ifeanyi Okowa while commending the government for their show of commitment to the development of not just Delta state but the Niger Delta region, said that the VP’s visit is a game changer and shows that the government is in partnership, and thinks along with the people.

“If development is to come we must provide the enabling environment. There’s a charge for the Oil companies, state and FG to develop the community. There can be no better time than now because we need that peace so that development can come,”Okowa said.

He called for partnership and peace within the kingdom if there must be development.

For Ibe kachikwu, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, corroborating the quest for peace said, “The people of Niger Delta are blessed. We should take a second look at the huge opportunity for tourism that can transform the communities and not just the oil being produced. We should all help in search of peace in the Niger Delta because without peace, the dream that we have with regard to the Nigerian Maritime University, gas centre in Kogberegbe and all the huge job potentials that the oil companies can bring will be a mirage.

President Ijaw Youth Council Udengs Eradiri, however assured the people and government that they are putting their weight behind the government to ensure that the nation moves forward. “Ijaw youths are peace loving people. We’re not saying that Buhari will solve all the problems of the Niger Delta. We’re willing to work with you. We’re hospitable people”, he said.

He however called for the release of some of their own who have been imprisoned by the military.