FEDERAL Government yesterday identified underdevelopment and lack of infrastructure as the biggest cause of insecurity in the Niger Delta region of the country.
To this end, government said it is working hard to make sure that all the necessary facilities needed for the development of the areas are put in place.
According to the Federal Government, the prompt implementation of the Niger Delta master plan and the directive to all contractors working in the region to ensure completion of all projects is a commitment to addressing the problems.
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan stated this yesterday in Abuja, at the commissioning of the new corporate office of the Nigerian Newsworld Magazine.
He challenged the media to ensure that Nigeria is ruled by the rule of law, saying the media must insist that due process is followed not only by government officials but by all members of the society.
In addition, the VP, represented by the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr John Odey, said the media has a crucial role to play in the present government�s determination to build a Nigeria of our dream.
His word: �As a government that is out to serve the best interest of the Nigerian people, we are interested in indications that the media are healthy, vibrant and robust, both financially and professionally, to contribute their quota to national growth and development. This is because we will count on the media to join hands with the government in building the kind of Nigeria we wish to live. Government alone, we all know, cannot build that Nigeria of our dream.�
�If the media industry live up to its responsiblity, it certainly can help in disseminating information to the people about government�s planned policies, projects and programmes as well as mobilising the people to make their own inputs to the realisation of set goals and objectives.�
�Our government also places a high premium on the rule of law. We believe very strongly in the concept of a law governed society. Without that, not much progress can be made in our national life. Being watchdogs of the society, the media should help in insisting that due process is followed not by government officials but by all members of the society whether poor or rich; high or low.�
�It is our belief that wealth creation, which is one of the seven point agenda of our government, can not be realized by government alone. Private initiative will complement government�s efforts in delivering democratic dividends to the greater majority of our people. By mobilizing resources to build this edifice and by being in business, the management of Nigerian Newsworld Magazine has helped in some measure to create wealth and now that it has more space and more conducive environment to work in, it is my hope that the outfit will make greater progress and create even greater wealth,� he added
Sep182007