FG secures $1bn funding from SPDC to develop Niger Delta, says Osinbajo

The Federal Government has secured funding of over $1 billion from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to develop the Niger Delta region, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has announced.
Osinbajo revealed this on Monday in Port Harcourt at a town hall meeting with governors, former governors, community leaders, women and various youth groups in the Niger Delta region.
He said that the vicious circle of abandonment amidst plenty, paying lip service to the region must stop, adding that this underscored the priority given to the clean up of Ogoniland by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Osinbajo said that the inauguration of governing council and board of trustees on Aug. 4, 2016 and Jan. 12, 2017, were some measures taken by the administration to ensure the clean up of Ogoniland.
“A funding of $1 billion at $200 million dollars per annum over five years has been provided by Shell to provide drinking water, conduct health impact assessment and demonstrate remediation technologies.
“A groundbreaking for the construction of Centre of Excellence will be launched in a few days.
“Training of 2,000 women from four local government areas in greenhouse, shrimp, poultry farming for empowerment will commence soon.
“Environmental remediation is important throughout the entire region,’’ Osinbajo said.
He said that fears being expressed that these projects would be abandoned should not be entertained as they were not being handled alone by the federal government.
The acting president stressed the need to cite thermal power stations in the Niger Delta
He said that there was no reason why infrastructure built in the region could not be compared to infrastructure built in oil-producing communities anywhere in the world.
He promised that coal-powered refineries and issues surrounding petro-chemical plants would be looked into by the government.
He said the Federal Government was interested with the continuation of the amnesty programme.
“We must re-commit to making the Niger Delta region a vibrant economic zone,’’ Osinbajo said, adding that the government intended to use small, medium businesses to drive, create employment and stimulate growth in the area.
“I have made notes, I have listened carefully; this will be a beginning that will change the narrative of the Niger Delta,’’ Osinbajo promised.
Also, Osinbajo flagged-off the reconstruction of  Doctors Quarters at the  Rivers State Government-owned Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt.
Osinbajo said at the occasion that the project was a special contribution to the creation of access to healthcare in the country.
“ It is my special privilege to lay this foundation stone of these doctors’ quarters at the Braithwaite Specialist Memorial Hospital.
“It is very special because this is a special contribution to the creation  of  access to healthcare in the country. And especially the welfare of doctors who do the commendable work of ensuring the health of the people “he said.
The acting President also said the quarters would help reposition Medicare in the state.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom  Wike,  said government was committed to the provision of quality facilities in the state.
Wike  said: “For me, my engagement  with the people is premised on the provision  of projects  across  the state.  In Rivers State, it is projects, projects and projects.  We shall not deviate.”
 
The governor stated that the project would restore the existing accommodation, expand it to take care of more specialist doctors serving in the hospital.
 
 
He said  that  the quarters had 22 units of three bedroom flats with a community  canteen and dedicated  water facility.
Osinbajo had on arrival, inspected the ongoing construction of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park and construction of the Ecumenical Centre, aimed at unifying  the Christian community in the state.