The Buhari
administration is promoting a new way of thinking and engagement that will
secure the development of the Niger Delta and the entire country, according to
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
That new
approach, which he restated as the New Vision, according to him involves an
active and effective collaboration between the government, the private sector
and the communities. This approach he stated ensures that “we finish whatever
we start.”
Prof. Osinbajo
spoke earlier today while meeting with members of a delegation from Bayelsa
State regarding the $3.6B Brass Fertilizer & Petro-Chemical Company that is
expected to come on steam soon. The delegation which included executives of the
company was led by Governor Seriake Dickson.
Lamenting that
only 12% completion rate was recorded in several of the projects undertaken by
the Niger Delta Development Commission in the past years, while the rest were
abandoned, Osinbajo stated that “sometimes projects are designed not to
succeed, but just for some people to make money.”
He however noted
that “a new way of thinking is emerging,” pointing to effective collaboration
with the private sector and citing the example of the NLNG as one instance of
such effective collaborations.
“The Buhari
administration, this government is committed to finishing whatever we start. At
the end of the day, we shall ensure that,” he affirmed, adding that the
oil-producing communities have tremendous potentials.
While commending
the Bayelsa State Governor for his proactive efforts, the Acting President
commended the collaboration that is ongoing regarding the Brass company. Said
he: “this is what we describe as the New Vision: partnership between the
Federal Government, the States, the communities and the private sector. This is
the new way of thinking that is emerging, the New Vision.”
In his own
comments, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu
described the idea of the Brass Fertilizer & Petro-Chemical firm as “a game
changer that we need to encourage, “ adding that such ideas have the potential
to change the economic model in the Niger Delta.
The Acting
President also received a delegation from the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of
Nigeria, SEEDAN led by its President Mr. Richard Olafare and the
Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council, Dr. P.O.Ojo.
In his remarks,
Prof. Osinbajo assured the delegation that the Federal Government would do much
more in the area of Agriculture, stressing that fertilizer and seed inputs are
vital for the “agricultural revolution” that the Buhari administration is delivering.
He told members
of the association, “your visit and contributions are very important to us. The
President has said we must grow what we eat. We must be able to grow everything
we eat. This is very important to us, we are very committed to food security.
It is important to hear your views as we shape policy.”
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