FEDERAL government has been urged to be more grassroots-oriented in its development efforts in Niger Delta region.
Speaking while delivering a lecture in Port Harcourt titled, Drop after Drop, strand after strand, Elf Petroleum general manager sustainable Development, Mr. A. Abolarin noted that any development effort in the region that ignores the basic needs of the people would be meaningless.
The general manager said the best way to solve the Niger Delta problem is to gather from the people at the grassroots what they they really want and not to impose on them the views of government official or their representatives.
According to him, little would be achieved if government officials dictate what a community wants, but greater result would be achieved if the villagers are the ones driving the development process.
He insisted that those experiencing the problems must be the first to speak about it pumping money will only solve the problem of development in the region with the active participation of the grassroots.
Speaking on the Bottom Up Community Development method adopted by the company at Akassa in Bayelsa State, Abolarin explained that youths from the community were trained to manage both construction and financing of projects.
He informed that the Akassa model is currently in operation in three communities where the company is operating and would be adopted in every area of its operation in the Niger Delta.