By Zika Bobby
The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh has called on all traditional rulers in the Niger Delta region to support the development of the area. Speaking at the palace of Edidem Sylvanus Okon, the paramount ruler of Uyo, the minister urged they all come together to support President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for the region.
During his visit, the minister expressed his gratitude for the warm reception from the Monarch, despite his busy schedule, as he explained the purpose of his Uyo visit, emphasising his commitment to inspect various projects and gain a deeper understanding of the current situation in the Niger Delta.
The minister said: “Over the years, we’ve observed numerous challenges in the region and government interventions have not yielded the desired results, hindering progress significantly.”
The minister acknowledged the cooperation received from traditional rulers in other states he had visited and expressed hope for a similar spirit of collaboration in Uyo.
Regarding the East West road, the minister said it no longer falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development but the Ministry of Works.
He was optimistic that traditional rulers and governors of the region would join him in advocating for the project’s return to the ministry, stating: “With President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, the East West Road would finally receive the urgent attention it genuinely deserves.”
In response, the monarch expressed gratitude for the minister’s safe journey and praised the Minister for recognising the significance of seeking royal blessings.
He also commended Governor Umo Eno as a responsive and attentive leader, akin to President Tinubu. He prayed for the successful fulfillment of Tinubu’s mandate through dedicated individuals like Momoh.
The minister later went on an assessment tour to inspect the progress of several key projects in the state, including inspections of the ongoing construction of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development’s office and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) office.