Mr Kenedy West, Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa governor on Niger Delta youth matters has urged the federal government to kickstart its development plan for the region.
West who made the call in an interview session on Monday, said the plan was part of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation's (NNPC) 20 point agenda for the region.
West said that Niger Delta youths have observed that past governments have payed lip service to the development needs of the Niger Delta but noted that the Buhari administration has come up with a feasible plan by NNPC.
He urged the present administration to impliment its lofty plans
West, noted that the introduction of the 13 per cent derivation policy by former President Olusegun Obasanjo was a remarkable milestone in the Niger Delta region but regretted that the proceeds have not been well utilised.
West called on the present administration of President Muhamadu Buhari to authourise the Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Ibe Kachikwu to implement the 20 point agenda of NNPC for the region.
"The Niger Delta region has suffered serious neglects by past administrations, infact it is the 13 per cent derivation that is the major thing the region gets.
"The present administration has expressed its commitment to change the narrative and has formulated a development plan for the region by the NNPC which is awaiting implimentation.
"Our desire is to see the 20 point plan implimented and we appeal to the government to give the necessary approvals for take off.
"The commencement of the development programme will rub off on the people of the region and further increase oil output for the economic benefit of the entire country at large," West said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa Governor also urged other regions to reciprocate the supportive roles of the Niger Delta regio to the economic progress of Nigeria.
He decried attempts to blackmail the Niger Delta in a bid to deny the region its demand for development, adding that the region has sacrificed a lot for the unity of the country.
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