Oborevweri made the call on Monday while declaring open the 6th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Monday Onyeme, urged the federal government to put the region on the path of economic growth and development.
He said, “I wish to welcome you all to this Technical Committee meeting of the 6th National Council on the Niger Delta under the auspices of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.
“Over the years, the Niger Delta has experienced a series of devastating oil spills primarily caused by industrial activities related to the extraction and transportation of oil and gas.
“Due to this high amount of spills, the Niger Delta is considered one of the most polluted regions in the world.
These oil spills have caused severe and continuous damage to the delicate balance of the region’s ecosystems; they affect both the environment and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on its resources.
“The Niger Delta Region is bedevilled by both environmental, security and infrastructural challenges ranging from gas flaring, illegal oil bunkering and local refining of crude leading to environmental pollution and the sooth problem, oil spillage with its attendant destruction of aquatic.
“There is the need for strategic and collaborative approaches between the Federal and Sub-national governments in the Niger Delta region to address the hydra-headed challenges facing the people of the oil-rich states of the Niger Delta and put the region on the path of economic growth and development”
The governor noted that agricultural produce as well as the lacklustre construction of the East-West road, erosion, perennial flooding occasioned by the non-dredging of the River Niger as well as the abandonment of the various seaports in the region leading to loss of economic activities and employment within the region, saying that the theme for the meeting, “Stimulating Strategies For Economic Growth And Development In The Niger Delta Region,” was apt.
He urged the committee at the end of the meeting, to provide a clear road map that will help the region forge a path towards peace, progress and prosperity in line with the full potential of the region in terms of its rich human and natural resources.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Niger Delta Development and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said as privileged Technical members and stakeholders gathered to discuss and deliberate on matters that will further shape the future of the Niger Delta region.
He said National Council on Niger Delta is the highest policy Advisory Body to the Government on the development of the Niger Delta region.
“Our core responsibilities are to articulate the development objectives of the people of the region and ensure that these objectives form the basis for the development agenda and intervention programmes.
“The Council also serves as a platform for Government Agencies, Development Partners and other Stakeholders to exchange ideas, share knowledge and collaborate on initiatives that will drive innovations and growth in the region.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown commitment to improving the living conditions of the people in the region. This is encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government and specifically outlined in the current Ministerial Mandate of the Ministry”
Belgore lamented the low response of stakeholders on the implementation of resolutions at the 5th meetings of NCND held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
