President-elect, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has intimated of his administration�s plan to introduce a new development plan to solve the problems of underdevelopment facing the Niger Delta states in Nigeria.
He also stated that henceforth the Niger Delta problem should be seen as a Nigerian problem.
He spoke in Abuja when the Bayelsa State Traditional Council of Chiefs paid a courtesy and solidarity visit to him at the Aguda House. Yar Adua while responding to the address of the Chief Joshua Igbagara, said his administration will introduce a new Marshall Plan of development that would tackle the underdevelopment problems of the Niger Delta within the first 100 days of his administration.
Yar’Adua, who gave an insight of the new comprehensive Marshal Plan of Development on Niger Delta said “what we intend to do in the Niger Delta in view of the new Marshall Plan shall be self- financing, sustaining and it shall be clear on the timing with the goal in focus.”
According to the president-elect, the Niger Delta Master Plan already in place by the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration shall be the reference point, explaining that out going government has done much to alleviate the Niger Delta problem.
The president-elect further explained that within three months of his administration that he will empanel a stakeholder�s meeting to dialogue and come out with a comprehensive solution to the problems of the region, stating that nothing is impossible, even
as his administration would dialogue even with the leaders of the militants.
He expressed confidence on his deputy and the votes from Bayelsa State, describing it as a source of confidence of the people of the state on his ability to govern as the President. He also pledged to carry the people of Bayelsa state along in his administration, while stating that his presidency would be for all Nigerians.
Earlier in his comments, the Chairman of the Bayelsa Council of Chiefs, Chief Igbagara had complained about the problems of the Niger Delta.
He also commended Yar’Adua for choosing Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as his running mate, pointing out that it was a good choice made.
Igbagara said with the choice of Jonathan Gooodluck as the Vice President that the Ijaws are no longer in the minority, but has joined the mainstream of national politics.
Among the dignitaries that witnessed the courtesy call was the Vice Prtesident-elect, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck.