Uduaghan wants European Union assistance for Niger Delta
Emmanuel Uduaghan
Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has called for the assistance of European Union (EU) and other of the International Community to ensure good governance in the Niger Delta region.
Dr Uduaghan who made the call in Asaba when the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. David Macrae paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, explained that good governance included credible elections as such the country needs to achieve it in the forthcoming elections in April .
He solicited the assistance and understanding of the international communities in the country's electoral process in order to have sustainable development in the region saying “I think it will be very important that the International Communities help us to achieve credible elections that will promote good governance”.
The Governor noted that Delta State has had previous relationship with European Union on developmental projects through the platform of the Gulf of Guinea Energy Security forum and solicited that the platform be used to tackle the Niger Delta issue.
Governor Uduaghan stated that the relationship with European Union has offered the state the opportunity to interact with the union, table it's problems to them, noting that this helped in developing the State especially during the tenure of his predecessor, Chief James Ibori.
The Governor stated that Niger Delta region has many unresolved issues that need the assistance of the European Union and the solution to these issues was good governance “my request is to know how European union will assist us to attain good governance”.
He said Delta state has established an outfit, DESOPADEC, to enhance good governance in the state especially in the oil producing areas saying “This output have given hope to a lot of Deltans especially our youths”.
In a brief remark, the European union Ambassador to Nigeria, David Macrae explained that he was on familiarization tour round the core states of the Niger Delta to know the different areas the union can assist them in ensuring good governance.
He stated that European Union signed an agreement in November, 2009 to co-operate with Nigeria and assist her in ensuring good governance in the country saying “We agreed that we will pay particular attention to the Niger Delta region and know where to assist them”.
Mr. Macrae explained that his team has visited River and Bayalsa states and was in Delta to know the areas the state will need their assistance”.
Members of the European Union team included the Head of sector, Institutional and Economic Reforms on Governance and Human Right, Mr. Augustine Oyowe.