By Geoffrey Kingsley
The United State Agency for International Development USAID and foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta, PIND recently held an interactive forum on the way forward in solving the Niger Delta Crisis and bring lasting solution to the region at Concorde Hotel Owerri.
Speaking during an interactive session, Member representing Ahiazu Mbaise State Constituency and Minority leader in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Ichie Ken Agbim who spoke as a panelist during the forum, elaborated on the lapses of Government and the Governed pointing out that engaging Youths in the Niger Delta through Developmental activities and Scholarship will ease the Issue of agitation in the region.
Hon Agbim further noted that an all inclusive government program and policies with active participation of the people in the region will go a long way to promote pro-active governance in Niger Delta, which Imo State is inclusive.
The lawmaker who was highly credited for the way and manner he handled questions bothering on the ills of Government in the country and Imo State, advised Youths in the Oil rich region to embrace Dialogue in settling issues that affects them so as to take advantage of the plans by government, NGO’s and oil multinational resident in the region.
Meanwhile, the head of party to the USAID Civil society project, Mr. Charles Zabamni Stated that USAID and PIND is working towards strengthening the capacity to advocate for changes and reforms that improves transparency, accountability, good governance and inclusive socioeconomic development nationally and in the Niger Delta.
Mr. Zabamni pointed out that Access to budget, Empowerment of Youth, Peace in the region, Accountability from the range of Niger Delta Institution that works in the region are some of the areas they support the people to engage with government of Nigeria to be able to drive the process forward and particularly key toward building public awareness to allow public talks about the priorities, identify with strategies and capacities that enable them monitor projects more efficiently.
The head of party to the USAID Civil society project Maintained that Niger Delta need to look beyond government as the solver of all problems, look beyond oil as their only source revenue, grow the base of the revenue, engage in enterprise, acquire skills and approaches to actually advocate for change and maintain the initiative of USIAD and PIND in the region.
