THE Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe, has said that if fully implemented, the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan (NDRDMP) was capable of resolving the numerous problems confronting the Niger Delta.
Alaibe said that the major problem that could militate against the full implementation would be failure to fully fund the execution of the master plan, put at between $50 billion and $100 billion.
Alaibe said these on Friday at the convocation lecture of the Igbinedion University in Okada, Edo State. Speaking on the topic, Sustainable development and the challenge of good government in the Niger Delta region, Alaibe said that the master plan would provide the desired improvement in the living conditions of the people and the general well-being of the region.
He said that he was convinced the master plan would work because the people were consulted before the document was put together.
He said, �To develop it, we visited, together with our partners such as OICs, the different tiers of government, the civil society organisations, development agencies such as UNDP every political ward of every local government area of the Niger Delta region.
�We gathered scientific data, using sophisticated platforms and strategies, including Geographic Imaging Satellite Systems. �We asked the people what they wanted and took stock of what each community provides, as well as the potentials existing in those communities.
�We covered every conceivable area of life and living. �And what we arrived at is an aggregate of the expectations, hopes, needs and vision of our people.
�Let no one confuse you. �What the Master Plan provides is the voice of the people and we urge every stakeholder, for the sake of our people, to buy into this Master Plan, because to do so is to listen to the voice of our people.�
Alaibe said it had become imperative that the funds for the execution of the master plan must be raised in order to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said it was gratifying that the President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar�Adua, had bought into the vision and was doing all in his powers to ensure its implementation.
He said, �I am happy to note that President Umaru Musa Yar�Adua is championing the cause of the Niger Delta and has encouraged partnership at the highest levels of Government