THE approval of 44 projects by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the oil-producing states of the Niger Delta region may be a signal of government's resolve to address some of the intractable problems of that region, and therefore, is a step forward. However, the absence of any concrete indication of the planned projects' relationship with the Niger Delta Master Plan is curious, because the projects' benefit can only be enhanced by a harmonious implementation with the master plan. Ideally, new projects in that environment should be implemented in a manner consistent and focused with the established plan of development. The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, did say that the projects are part of the phased implementation of the Niger Delta plan; but it is important to have an organised approach to solve the dearth of infrastructures in the region. Funds should be provided for action. Intermittent approvals and implementation of the plan in fragments would not achieve much in the long run.Mr. Maku had disclosed at a press briefing in Abuja that FEC at its meeting last week approved 44 infrastructural projects for the nine oil-producing states of the Niger Delta. The states include Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Abia, Imo and Ondo. The projects cut across roads, bridges, water, health and agriculture and would be executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Maku said the FEC gave the approval following a memorandum by the NDDC on the phased development of the oil-producing states. He did not disclose how much the projects would cost or how the funds would be sourced. There was also no information on how the projects would be distributed among the communities; which state would get what and the target date of completion. These details are necessary to ensure that this proposal is matched with concrete action. The days of mere rhetoric should be over.The Niger Delta region has been volatile for reasons of utter neglect and underdevelopment. The issue of bringing development to the area is no longer an issue of debate. What is important is how to implement real action as mapped out for the area. There should be difference between announcements by officials of government, and real action. Grandiose announcements of what are to be done that are never done are not paying off, particularly when the announcements involve piecemeal projects without clear definition of how to realise them.To start with, 44 projects would be rarely noticeable in nine states. This would be like a tiny drop in the ocean. It would be more meaningful if these projects were targeted at each state. It would take more than these projects, for instance, to bring roads development to noticeable level in any of the states. Besides, all along, government appears to emphasise only on infrastructures while ignoring the people's livelihood system. The Niger Delta is inhabited by folks who are fishermen and farmers whose source of livelihood has been polluted by decades of unbridled oil exploitation. How these citizens survive should bother government. Roads and bridges do not put food on people's table. Government should go beyond mere intent to build infrastructures to leverage the people's livelihood. There is need for a Marshall Plan to turn around the area, reactivate the abandoned schools, and provide hospitals and other social amenities. The dearth of infrastructures, which is at the root of abject poverty in the area, should not be taken lightly. But means of livelihood for the people should be part of such restoration plan. President Goodluck Jonathan has a historic responsibility to bring change to the Niger Delta.Nevertheless, the issue of development in the Niger Delta is not the sole responsibility of the Federal Government. The states also have a duty, for instance to spend the 13 per cent derivation they receive from the federation account monthly to contribute to the development of the region and uplift the people. This money is not the personal property of the governors and their cronies to share to the detriment of the people, as has been the case.Most state governments in the Niger Delta have not done much to justify the huge funds they receive. There is more news about stolen funds than development. With proper coordination, the states could focus on improving people's livelihood, while the Federal Government concentrates on providing the major infrastructural projects. The states cannot remain aloof while waiting on the Federal Government to do everything.Finally, the role of the NDDC should be more clearly defined as an agency central to the realisation of the region's dreams. There should not be disjointed action in the implementation of various projects by different groups. The states, Federal Government and the oil multinationals should harmonise their development efforts for greater impact. The Niger Delta should be given serious attention in the interest of the inhabitants.
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