Fidelia Okafor.

A new set of directives have been issued to accelerate the implementation of President Buhari administration’s new vision for the development of the Niger Delta.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo issued the directives at a recent meeting of the inter-ministerial working group following up on the renewed Niger Delta interactive engagements of the administration.

A statement from the presidency said , “to this end, the government has given all contractors including those handling Niger Delta Development Commission’s projects in the region a 30-day ultimatum from today, Tuesday, March 21, to return to site or face prosecution.”

Prosecution
It has also specifically directed that the list of all contractors who have not returned to site within the stipulated period be compiled and submitted to the Ministry of Justice and the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission for investigation and prosecution.

“A concerted implementation work plan that would respond to the developmental issues and projects proposed byPan-Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF is also being prepared, while fresh mandates are also being issued to all the relevant MDAs as appropriate,” It stated.

The statement said this would include the government’s directive to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs; Environment; Power, Works and Housing to proceed with the design and implementation of work plans in line with the administration’s new vision for the region.

Eventual actualisation
It stated that ministries and agencies of government involved in furthering the establishment of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, have also been directed to come up with a clear path to the eventual actualisation of the objective.

This includes consideration for a possible and timely take-off grant for the University.

The meeting also discussed plans to continue presidential visits to oil-producing communities in the remaining States, so as to effectively conclude the interactive engagements with the people of the State.

Specific instructions have also been given to the Ministry of Environment to ensure and report on the progress of the Ogoni Clean-up, for which a Project Office is now located in Rivers State and is functional.