Date Published: 09/10/11

Jonathan recorded achievements in infrastructure, says Orubebe

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Godsday Orubebe, on Friday said President Goodluck Jonathan recorded achievements in infrastructure development within his 100 days in office.

Orubebe said this in Abuja at a news conference in commemoration of the president’s 100 days in office.

He said in spite of the difficult terrains and the rainy season, about 21 kilometers of the East-West road were completed up to ``asphaltic binder course’’ level by the ministry.

``In addition, 80 per cent of the piling work on the major Patani bridge was completed, the sub-structural work on Okoso bridge has been completed and Zarama-Okoso bridge was completed up to deck level.

``The ministry has embarked on number of development projects which include the construction of roads, housing estates, skills acquisition centres, shoreline reclamation projects and youth empowerment programme,’’ Orubebe said.

According to him, the ministry has greatly reduced militancy through its activities which has restored peace to the region. ``This has led to increased and uninterrupted oil production from 750,000 barrels per day to over 2.5 million barrels per day and subsequently increased revenues for the country,’’ the minister said.

He said the ministry in collaboration with the UNDP had developed a comprehensive national development framework for the Niger Delta region. The minister said the preparation of the framework involved EU, DFID, USAID, World Bank and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector. Speaking earlier, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, urged Nigerians to promote peace to enable the present administration transform the country

(NAN)