JUMADA-AWWAL 7, 1429 A.H.
TUESDAY, MAY 13 2008
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Niger Delta potential petrochemical hub of Africa -Yar’adua
From ALIYU LAWAL SAULAWA PH.
President Umaru Musa Yar’adua says the Niger Delta has the potential of becoming the petrochemical hub of Africa if peace is allowed to reign in the region.
President Yar’adua made the remark Saturday while addressing the people of Bayelsa State , during the campaign for the re-run governorship election in the state.
President Yar’adua, assured the people of the Niger Delta of the commitment of the present administration to provide the enabling environment for growth and economic activities to take place in the area but enjoined them to give peace a chance.
The President noted that to achieve this, the present administration has included the Niger Delta issue as part of its seven point agenda as well as ensured that the NDDC gets all its entitlement as provided for in the NDDC act.
According to President Yar’adua, the Federal Executive Committee and the National Assembly have also voted huge sums of money specifically for the development of oil producing areas of the country.
He disclosed that the supplementary budget being prepared would make sufficient provision for four critical areas including power and energy, national security, development of the Niger Delta and the issue of credible electoral process in the country.
President Yar’adua who described the re-run election in Bayelsa state as won and lost called on the People of Bayelsa to vote massively for the PDP candidate to consolidate on the gains made in the state.
Also addressing the rally, Vice President Goodluke Jonathan, said the re-run governorship election would convince the whole world that the PDP won the April 14, Governorship election in Bayelsa State and also vindicate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the results declared were authentic.
In his goodwill message, the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, urged the people of Bayelsa State to come out and vote enmass for Timipre Silva, whose brief tenure in office brought peace and true brotherhood to Bayelsa and Rivers people.
Governor Amaechi contended that the PDP submitted itself to the verdict of the Appeal Court because it believes in the rule of law, expressing the hope that PDP would win Bayelsa again.
The Governor who described Bayelsa as the younger brother of Rivers State said Rivers people were happy to identify with the aspirations of Bayelsa and the candidature of Timipre Silva and wished him victory at the polls.
There were also goodwill messages from the Senate President, Senator David Mark, the Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief DSP Alamiyesigha, the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, representeative of Bayelsa State Senators as well as the ANPP Bayelsa State Chapter.
