In-Coming Administration Vows to Better the Living Conditions of the People of the Niger-Delta

  The President-elect, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed that his administration would give special priority to the Niger-Delta crisis, as a veritable way of ensuring quick development, lasting peace and prosperity for Nigeria as a nation. According to Alhaji Yar’Adua, necessary steps must be taken to protect the security of the Niger-Delta as strong security within the region translates to security for the nation. He says his administration would adopt a holistic approach in ensuring the development of the region, explaining also that the very first thing to do is to built trust and confidence of the people of the zone. He also mentioned that the master plan adopted by the out-going administration for the development of the Niger-Delta, will be followed meticulously. For starters, Alhaji Yar’Adua intends convening a meeting of the governors from the region of the Niger-Delta with all the oil companies and other stakeholders to fashion out an acceptable development plan for the region.
  Perhaps, things are about to turn around for the better in the Niger-Delta region. The very good thing about this is the fact that Alhaji Yar’Adua’s running mate and soon-to-be Vice President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, is an indigene of the Niger-Delta and hopefully he will always work in the best interest of the people of the Niger-Delta. A recent interview, which featured out-going President Olusegun Obasanjo on the Cable News Network (CNN), revealed that Chief Obasanjo is indeed pleased with the work done so far in the Niger-Delta. A major point which he stated is the fact that before his administration (before the 29th of May, 1999), the Niger-Delta region received 3% of oil revenues and his administration has been able to up this percentage to 13. While this is very true, what the Niger-Delta needs are visible structures on ground and not some monthly allocations which may eventually not benefit the common man on the streets. I am talking good roads, good schools, adequate supplies of water and electricity, good health facilities, jobs for the people and above all, a good and healthy environment. This is what many hope the Alhaji Yar’Adua administration will live up to when sworn in come 29th of May.