Eighty groups operating in the country have made a case for a concerted effort by the government, multinationals and non-governmental organisations to fast track the development of the Niger Delta, using partnership approach as the springboard.
The groups, which were sponsored by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria to a two-day workshop in Port Harcourt , made their views public in a position paper released on Sunday.
The participants agreed that no tier of government could effectively bring about the transformation of the Niger Delta and suggested the creation of a conducive atmosphere for partnerships to strive and deliver results.
The groups however stressed the need for NGOs operating in the region to take steps to build their capacity to be able to meet the needs of donor agencies and to create legitimacy so as to win the confidence and support of investing organisations.
Shell�s Director of Government and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Christian Nwachukwu, said that the workshop was put together as part of the company�s effort to contribute to the development of the Niger Delta through partnerships.
Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin , Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, in an address, described the talkshop as a veritable means of encouraging dialogue and understanding amongst the people capable of eliminating incidence of armed conflicts.
She said, �We must use any advice that is necessary and useful, clad it with authority and law to empower Nigerians to make the best use of our wealth for the sustained development of our country.�
The Chief Executive Officer of LEAP Africa , Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, in a keynote address, drew attention to the success story recorded in the development of South Africa, United States of America and Finland through partnerships.
Nwuneli said Nigeria could reap substantial benefits from credible partnerships if the right atmosphere was created in the country.