MInistry of Niger -Delta

MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS (MNDA)

MINISTERIAL PLATFORM TO MARK THE 2012 NATIONAL DEMOCRACY DAY AND THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN’S ADMINISTRATION BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER, ELDER GODSDAY P. ORUBEBE, CON AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, RADIO HOUSE, ABUJA, MAY 17, 2012

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Introduction • I thank the HM of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku for organising and facilitating this event • This Ministerial Platform provides me the opportunity to present the achievements, accomplishments and challenges of the MNDA

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Establishment and Mandate of the Ministry • MNDA was created in September 2008 and commenced operation in February, 2009.

• Its mandate is to formulate and execute programmes, projects and policies for the development and security in the 9 states of the Niger Delta. • It also has the responsibility to coordinate the activities of Agencies, Communities, Donors and other stakeholders involved in the development of the region.

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Functions

 Oversee the implementation of Government policies on the development and security of the Niger Delta;  Coordinate the formulation of the Development Plan for the region;  Formulate policies and programmes for youth mobilization and empowerment in the Niger Delta;  Facilitate Private Sector involvement in the region; 4

Functions (cont’d)  Liaise with oil companies operating in the region to ensure environmental protection and pollution control;  Organize human capacity development as well as skills acquisition programmes for the youths;  Take adequate measures to ensure peace, stability and security with a view to enhancing the economic potentials of the area;  Supervise the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 5

The Ministry’s Areas of Focus In consonance with its mandate, the priority areas of projects and programmes of the Ministry are as follows:  Road Construction;  Construction of Skill Acquisition Centres;  Water Supply and Electrification Schemes;  Housing Scheme;  Environmental Protection and Remediation Projects;  Skills Acquisition Training (Non-militants);  Agricultural and Industrial Development Programmes; and  Security.

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Achievements/Accomplishments • The Ministry by its mandate intervened significantly through routinely organized security and consultative meetings to sustain the peace and security in the region. This has resulted in increase in oil production from preAmnesty level of 700,000 bpd to the current level of 2,500,000 bpd;

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) • Work is progressing on the East-West Road.

The Ministry took over the project from the Ministry of Works about two years ago at 10% level of completion. The Ministry has now attained over 50% level of completion. Every effort is being made to complete the project

by December, 2013

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the East-West Road (Section I)

Typical U-Turn At CH 3+400

Typical U-Turn At CH 14+000

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the EastWest Road (Section I) ASPHALTIC CONCRETE WEARING COURSE @ CH 4 + 450

COMPLETED FORMWORK FOR PILE CAP IN WATER @ PATANI BRIDGE

SUB-BASE (SAND CEMENT STABILIZATION) @ CH 39 + 275

ARRANGEMENT OF FORMWORK FOR PIER P2 AT PATANI BRIDGE

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the East-West Road (Section I) Cont.

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the East-West Road (Section I) Cont.

COMPLETED ROAD (CH2+600)

COMPLETED ROAD SECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF MEDIAN IN PROGRESS

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the East-West Road (Section I) Cont.

Prefabricated Concrete Box Girder Segments

Construction Of Median Ch 0+000 (3)

Abutment No.2 For Patani Bridge

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the EastWest Road (Section II - I) Protection of Sand Cement Stabilization at CH. 61+450

Newly Constructed Pavement on New Alignment (LHS) To Binder Level CH. 27+000 to CH.30+525 (Subsection I)

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the EastWest Road (Section II - II) BRIDGE 3 (ELELE 2) CH. 59+218: Total Length: 76.5m, No. of Span: 5Spans of 15m per Span

Bridge No. 2 (Elele 1 Bridge) Completed to Deck Level with Transition Slab, Walkway and Parapet Walls Installed (CH. 59+098)

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the EastWest Road (Section II - II) Cont.

Mbiama Bridge CH. 82+494: Total Length: 213m, No. of Span: 8-Spans of 26m per span

Bridge 3 (Elele 2) CH. 59+218: Total Length: 76.5m, No. of Span: 5-Spans of 15m per Span

Pile Works Substantially Completed At Mbiama Bridge (CH. 82+494)

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the East-West Road (Section II - II) Cont.

Bridge No. 9 Completed To Deck Level at CH. 92+600

NEWLY CONSTRUCTED PAVEMENT (RHS) AT BINDER LEVEL CH. 49+600 (SUB SECTION II)

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the East-West Road (Section III)

Array of Peirs with Central Segment

Traveling Formwork – A New Methology in Long Span Bridge Deck Construction

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Pictorial Representation of Completed Imo River Bridge at East-West Road (Section III)

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the EastWest Road (Section III) Cont.

Completed Imo River Bridge

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the EastWest Road (Section IV)

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Other Roads

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) • The ministry is also constructing 11 other roads spread across the 9 States. The roads which are at various levels of completion are:  RE-CONSTRUCTION OF ELELE - OWERRI ROAD (RIVERS - IMO STATE) 33.12%  OBEHIA - AKWETE-ETINAN ROAD (ABIA AND AKWA IBOM STATES) SECTS. I & II – 21%

 REHABILITATION OF OKPUALA-IGURUTA ROAD (IMO AND RIVERS STATES:53KM) Phase I – 22%  BENIN ABRAKA ROAD (EDO AND DELTA STATES: 88.58KM) Phase I – 29.4%  ORHORHOR-ODORUBUO KPAKAMA-BOMADI ROAD (DELTA/BAYELSA/RIVERS STATES -32KM) Phase I – 21%  GBAREGOLOR-OGRIAGBENE ROAD, DELTA STATE – 30%

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DUALIZATION OF THE PORT HARTCOURT/ABA EXPRESSWAY-OBEHIA-AZUMINI-UKANAFUN ROAD (SECTION I & II) Bridge works Completed Section of road

SLOPE PROTECTION & CULVERT

Slope Protection

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of Okpuhute-Mbato JunctionOrie Market-Lomara (Igwebuike) Road in Abia State Laying of Asphalt at Panoramique Police Station Road Laying of Asphalt

Laying of MC 1 at a Section of the Road

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of Ogriagbene – Torugbene Road Project in Delta State DOZER SPREADING FILL MATERIAL

TIPPING OF SHARP SAND AS FILL MATERIAL

WOODEN PEG SHOWING THE LEVEL OF FILLING

SANDFILLING AND SHAPING OF EMBANKMENT AT CH.2+075

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of Gbaregolor-Ogriagbene Road in Delta State

STOCK PILE OF DREDGED SAND

PUMPING OF SAND @ ENEKOROGHA SPUR KM 2+550

BUSH CLEARING @ 26+200 IN PROGRESS IN ENEKOROGHA SPUR

SANDFILLING ON THE SPUR ROAD KM 2+600-1+200

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of Omelema Agada Road in Rivers State BUSH CLEARING @ 26+200 IN PROGRESS IN ENEKOROGHA SPUR

EARTHWORK IN PROGRESS

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of Benin Abraka Road in Edo State LAYING OF ASPHALTIC BINDER COURSE

LAYING OF STORM WATER PIPE

LAYING OF ASPHALTIC WEARING COURSE

CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRTET DRAIN

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the EleleOwerri Road (Rivers 窶的mo State) SPRAYING OF MC1 ON STONEBASE BETWEEN CH 9+300 AND CH 10+050(RHS)

LAYING OF ASPHALTIC BINDER COURSE BETWEEN CH9+275-10+050(R.H.S)

STONE-PITCHING IN PROGRESS AT CH7+175(L.H.S).

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Rehabilitation of OkpualaIguruta Road (Imo and Rivers States) Phase I SCARIFYING OF SURFACE DRESSED PAVEMENT BETWEEN CH. 4+ 025 TO CH. 4+ 130

CASTING OF PIPE CULVERT SURROUNDING AT CH5 +870

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) • The construction of 360 units of Housing Projects in the 9 States has reached about 55% level of completion;

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Housing Scheme project in Abia State

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Housing Scheme project in Akwa Ibom State

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Housing Scheme project in Bayelsa State

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Housing Scheme project in Delta State

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Housing Scheme project in Edo State

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Housing Scheme project in Imo State

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Housing Scheme project in Ondo State

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) • The construction of Skills Acquisition Centres in the 9 states of the Niger Delta is at various stages of completion. The Centres are meant to train youths to acquire skills to enable them work in various sectors of the national economy including Oil and Gas, Commerce, Tourism, Agriculture, ICT, Construction and Marine;

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Abia State)

Small W/Shop A– Construction of Roof beam in progress

Small W/Shop C– Block work up to lintel level completed.

Small W/Shop B– Block work up to lintel level completed.

Warehouse– Block work up to upper lintel level completed.

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Pictorial Representation of Current Sttus of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Abia State) Cont.

Generator House and fuel tanks

Block Wall Fence- Block Work up to the specified height at 80% completion

Elevated Tanks- Fabrication in Progress

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Akwa Ibom State)

IT Centre – Roofing Completed, Finishes on- going

Technical Block- Placement of Timber roof trusses in progress

Entrance View & Gate House

Technical Block- Placement of Timber roof trusses in progress

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Akwa Ibom State) Cont.

Residential Block- Lintel work on the first floor in progress

Residential Block- Lintel work on the first floor in progress

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Bayelsa State)

Column and Roof beam have been constructed

Clearing works on the roads after the levels have been established

View of the Workshop

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Bayelsa State) Construction of form work for first slab of Hostel 1 almost completed as at the time of the report.

Rectors Residences almost completed

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Deputy Rectors Residences almost completed

Semi detached Bungalows

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Cross River State)

Four Bed Room Duplex (Staff Quarters) Cross River State Skill Acquisition Centre

ICT Building With The Lower Part Roof Trusses Construction On-Going (9/12/2011)

Bungalow (Staff Quarters) C/River State Sac

In Door Games Structure On Going, With The Staff Quarters Buildings At The Back, C/River State Skill Acquisition Centre, Ikot-Nakanda.

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Delta State)

Technical block A1 at Lintel Level

Technical block A2 at Foundation level

Gate House A & Gate House B under Construction

Conference Hall at roof level

Front & side elevations of block wall fencing

Roofed row of Residential buildings

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Delta State) Cont.

Sedimentation Tank in place

Surface Tank and Over head tank in place

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Edo State)

Excavation of foundation trench for workshops (1 and 3) on going

The contractor has been directed to suspended work on the workshop 2 because the method of construction adopted falls below the required standard

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Edo State) Cont.

A Section Of Workshop 2. With DPC In Place

Another Section Of Work Shop 2. Without DPC

Cafeteria Block- Back filling of laterite on-going

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Edo State) Cont.

Generator House No 1 – Construction Of Roof Members On Going

Generator House No 2 – Superstructure Block Work In Progress

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Imo State)

First Floor of the Business centre

ICT Bldg – Slab Completed

Reinforced Concrete eaves of the Cafeteria

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Imo State) Cont.

First Floor Slab of the Admin Building Completed

Conference Centre

Fabrication of roof trusses for the Conference Hall in progress

Fabrication of roof trusses for the Conference Hall in progress

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Imo State) Cont.

Roof Trusses for the Warehouse in Place

Indoor Sports hall at roofing level

Roofed Staff Quarters (semi detached 2 B/R)

Indoor Sports hall at roofing level

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Ondo State)

3 Bedroom Block of Flats (Staff Quarters)

Male Hostel

2 Bedroom Block of Flats (Staff Quarters)

Cafeteria

Female Hostel

Cafeteria

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Ondo State) Cont.

Staff Quarters

Clinic

Rector’s House

Conference hall

Library

Admin Block

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Ondo State) Cont.

Indoor Sports Hall

Laboratory

Lecture Hall

Road Work and Drainage Work In Progress

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Ondo State) Cont.

Road Work and Drainage Work In Progress

Generator House I

Treatment: Road Within The Skill Acquisition With Street Light

Water Reservoir Plant

Transformer

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Rivers State)

Ware house building at roof level and the formwork for the reinforced concrete eaves on going

Placement of timber roof trusses of Clinic Block completed.

Placement of timber roof trusses of Clinic Block completed.

Administrative Block – Block work up to roof level including lintel completed.

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of the Skills Acquisition Centres (Rivers State) Cont.

Placement of stone base on going for the internal road and installation of street lighting completed

Conference Hall – Block work up to roof level including lintel completed & formwork for the Columns along the corridor ongoing.

Placement of stone base on going for the internal road and installation of street lighting completed

Completion of the raked reinforced concrete floor of the sport pavilion.

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Water Supply Projects

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Pictorial Representation of Construction activities at Idoro Eastern Ibiono Itam Water Scheme in Akwa Ibom State

Example of one of the completed Borehole ready to receive submersible pump

foundation constructed for the tank foundation before second casting

positioning of the bolts that will hold the stanchion for each pillar

Completed foundation work after backfilling 63

Pictorial Representation of Construction activities at Ukparam Water supply projects sites in Ondo State Example of 1 of the cased borehole

Piers ready to receive concrete platform

Piers ready to receive concrete platform

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Pictorial Representation of Construction activities at Ubang Utanga Water supply projects Sites in Cross River State

GENERATOR AND OFFICE BUILDING AT UTANGA going

OFFICE AND GATE HOUSE AT UBANGfor the reinforced concrete eaves on

CONSTRUCTION OF CLEAR WATER TANK AT UTANGA

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Pictorial Representation of Construction activities at Owerri Urban Water supply projects Sites in Cross River State Completed borehole awaiting submersible pumps

Compound housing the water scheme

foundation constructed for the tank foundation before second casting

Reinforcement for tank foundation Some completed structure within the site premises

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Electrification Projects

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Pictorial Representation of Electrification Project in Khana Local Govt. Area of Rivers State HIGH TENSION LINES HIGH TENSION LINES

HIGH TENSION LINES STRINGED)AT LUAII COMPLETED 2*15MVA POWER TRANSFORMER SUB-STATION AT BORI

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Pictorial Representation of Peremabiri/Ogbokiri, Akassa Local Government Area in Bayelsa State HIGH TENSION POLES YET TO BE PLANTED

2*7.5MVA SUB-STATION FOUNDATION

COMPLETED 2*15MVA POWER TRANSFORMER SUB-STATION AT BORI

5NO 500KVA TRANSFORMERS 69

Pictorial Representation of Electrification Project in Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State PLANTED ELECTRIC POLES

STRINGED POLES(ENERGISED)

INSTALLED TRANSFORMERS ON PLINTHS

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Pictorial Representation of Electrification Project at Erei in Biase, Local Government Area of Cross River State STRINGED HIGH TENSION LINES IN 7NO COMMUNITIES

13NO TRANSFORMERS BEING MOUNTED.

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS • Land Reclamation/Shoreline Protection Project in Kurutie, Gbaramatu Clan, Warri South LGA in Delta State – 71% completion • Idumuje- Unor Erosion Control Project, Delta State – 70% completion; • Canalization of Odobou-Ogbobagbene Creek, Burutu LGA, Delta State – 30% completion; 72

Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) Environmental Projects (Cont’d)

• Land Reclamation and Erosion Control Works, Igbonton – Igbanke and Oyomo/Okhelen – Awo Road, Uromi, Edo State – 85% completion; • Land Reclamation and Erosion Control Works at Ibakang Nsit-Ikot Ekpo- Unyene Road, Nsit Attai in Akwa Ibom State – 48% completion; • Land Reclamation and Erosion Control Works, Essien Town- Ekorinin Community, Cross River State – 35% completion; 73

Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) Environmental Projects (Cont’d)

• Consultancies for 13 (thirteen) land reclamation/shoreline protection/erosion control projects - 70% completion.

• Remediation, Rehabilitation and Restoration of the Oil Impacted Site at Stubbs Creek, Eket, Akwa Ibom State – 26% completion.

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Pictorial Representation of Current Status of some Environmental Projects

RECLAIMED LAND AT KURUTIE, GBARAMATU LAND RECLAMATION AND SHORELINE PROTECTION PROJECT

LAND RECLAMATION AND EROSION CONTROL AT IBAKANG – IKOT EKPO – UNYEHE ROAD , NSIT ATAI, AKWA IBOM STATE

CASTING AND STACKING OF CONCRETE SHEET PILES AT KURUTIE, GBARAMATU LAND RECLAMATION AND SHORELINE PROTECTION PROJECT

: RECLAMATION OF GULLY AREA AT THE ESSIEN TOWN, EKORININ LAND RECLAMATION AND EROSION CONTROL SITE

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GRAB DREDGER REMOVING SILTS AND MUDS IN THE CREEK BED - BULOU NDORO CREEK, ODOUBOU CREEK, DELTA STATE

PILOT TEST: APPLICATION OF MOLECULAR POTENTIAL CHAIN DISINTEGRATOR (MPCD) NUTRIENT AMENDMENT AS STUBBS CREEK, EKET, AKWA IBOM STATE PILOT PROJECT SITE

DREDGED AREA ALONG THE CREEK - BULOU NDORO CREEK, ODOUBOU CREEK, DELTA STATE.

CONSTRUCTION OF ENGINEERED BIO-CELL AT STUBBS CREEK, EKET, AKWA IBOM STATE

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) • 701 non-militant youths have been trained both locally and overseas by the Ministry as follows:  Oil and Gas (341);  Maritime (270); and  Agriculture (90).

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Graduation Ceremony of 50 Non-Militant Youths who underwent Maritime Training at Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron

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Graduands of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron being given their certificates and laptop computers by the Hon. Minister of State

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Arrival/Welcome Ceremony of 60 Non-Militant Youths trained in Agriculture at the Songhai Centre, Porto Novo, Benin Republic

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Pre-departure Ceremony for 106 Non-Militant Youths going to India for Oil & Gas Training

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Graduation Ceremony of 40 Non-Militant Youths Trained in Oil & Gas at the Azimarine and General Services Centre, Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State

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Graduation Ceremony of 40 Non-Militant Youths Trained in Oil & Gas by Scotchville Industrial Consortium at The Petroleum Training Institute, Efurun, Delta State

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) A. Niger Delta Collaborative Development Framework (NDCDF)

• The Ministry has embarked on a comprehensive and coherent programme of investment in the social and public sectors of the various communities of the Niger Delta. The programme is called the Niger Delta Collaborative Development Framework (NDCDF).

• The Collaborative Development Framework articulates and spells out the future intervention measures for the Niger Delta in consonance with the Niger Delta Master Plan and Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020.

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) • The Niger Delta Collaborative Development Framework (NDCDF) is being developed by the Ministry and representatives of development Partners including UNDP, World Bank, USAID, EU and DFID as well as the Embassy of The Netherlands under the coordination of the UNDP. • The NDCDF has three broad but integrated components; namely: i. Public Sector Investment Programme which covers large infrastructure development and reconstruction; ii. Social Sector Investment Programme which focuses on investment in social sector, covering Community-based development, Community-recovery process and Communitysecurity stabilization measures generation; and

iii. Institutional capacity and Multi-stakeholder Trust Fund which delineates the governance structure and financial mechanism for the Programme.

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) Objectives of the NDCDF • The essence and import of this initiative is to bring together all our international development partners, donor agencies and stakeholders operating in the Niger Delta region to formulate a common development framework funded through a common basket of resources for the development of the region. • The NDCDF will bring about and ensure accountability and prudent management of resources through broad-based stakeholder participation in the implementation process.

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) Objectives of the NDCDF • It will also enhance the coordination mechanism in support of rationalized programme intervention.

• The firm of consultants engaged to design the Framework has just concluded the assignment.

• The report will be presented to the Governors of the nine states of the Niger Delta and other stakeholdersn.

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) B. Industrial Parks

• The Ministry is also embarking on the establishment of industrial parks in the region.

• After visiting the Ostim Organized Industrial parks in Ankara, Turkey, the Ministry was encouraged to replicate the Turkey industrial parks model in the Niger Delta.

• The industrial parks consist of 5,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that manufacture and produce goods and services in over 100 different sectors/areas of the economy.

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) Industrial Parks (cont’d)

• The industrial zone provides its own infrastructure including energy needs of over 35 MW of electricity.

• The success story of the Ostim organized industrial Parks has been replicated in Russia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and many parts of Central Asia through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

• The Ministry has therefore, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ostim of Turkey for the establishment of industrial parks in the Niger Delta.

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Achievements/Accomplishments (cont’d) Benefits of the Industrial Parks • When established, the industrial zone, expected to house over 5,000 SMEs, will: create employment for thousands of youths in the region, promote rural growth, create an enabling environment that boosts production and economic growth, promotes local content policy, and generates enormous income for government. This is one of the ways by which jobs could be generated for the youths that are currently being trained in different skills both within and outside the country.

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Industrial Park in Ankara, Turkey

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The Way Forward • It has become inevitable to source for alternative funding for the projects and programmes of the Ministry in view of the paucity of budgetary allocation.

• The Ministry is adopting the Public Private Partnership arrangement for the implementation of its Road and Rail infrastructure, Environment, Waterways and Skills Acquisition projects.

• Such projects and programmes have already been identified and our private sector partners have shown keen interest in the projects.

• The Ministry is working closely with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

• The Ministry has already been listed to benefit from the SURE-P. The funds that will accrue from this programme will be utilized for the completion of sections I and III of the East – West Road.

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Issues And Challenges i. The terrain in most parts of the region makes infrastructural development a difficult task.

High costs of projects and technology required for infrastructure projects as a result of the terrain constitute a serious challenge.

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Issues And Challenges (cont’d) ii. Even though youth restiveness and insecurity in the region have abated, intermittent disruption of projects by the youths and excessive demands on contractors by communities and individuals still constitute a serious problem. This situation had sometimes led to work stoppages.

iii. The Ministry’s budgetary allocation and releases have been grossly inadequate and dwindling. In 2009, total release was N94 billion, N58.8 billion in 2010 and N36.4 billion in 2011. In 2012, total appropriation is N57 billion out of which N16 billion has already been released.

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CONCLUSION • The challenges in the region are quite enormous and require huge resources which government alone cannot bear. • It is pertinent to note that the Ministry has a framework for the development of the Niger Delta. However, the main impediment is absence of real funding to accelerate the needed development in the Niger Delta.

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I thank you all for your attention

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