The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has introduced the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP) to check project duplication and multiplication by government agencies in the Niger Delta.

Presenting the plan yesterday in Abuja, the Minister said: “You will recall that I have at several fora, expressed my displeasure at the manner development initiatives were being implemented in the Niger Delta. It is such that two or more agencies would be working separately on a single infrastructural project, with the same reflecting and being appropriately funded in their respective budgets. SIWP would surely put an end to this era.”

According to the Minister, the web-based monitoring system would allow citizens to view projects being carried out in the region by both public and private organisations, maintaining that the accountability process will enable citizens know the organisation implementing a particular project in their environs and thereby hold them responsible for delivery.

He explained that the rationalised programming of joint work— planning and reinforced coordination of intervention would by no means eliminate wastages of resources in a bid to develop the region.

He went on: “The SIWP e-portal currently contains over 400 projects of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission, already uploaded and visible to the public.

“The potential and benefits of SIWP are enormous for the Niger Delta region. This is expected to become more visible and effective when the projects and programmes of the other critical stakeholders in the region are uploaded and all respective efforts are tracked, using the e-portal.

“May I, therefore, use this medium to crave the support of Ministries and Agencies operating in the Niger Delta Region to bring their projects and programmes on-board SIWP e-portal to ensure that the desired development of the region is achieved. Future inclusion of other private organisations will be welcomed, as projects and programmes capturing is a continuous process on SIWP.

“In order to reap the benefits highlighted before, we must properly coordinate the developmental and implementation processes to effectively deliver on planned outcomes…”

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura noted that the SIWP serves as the perfect tool to impact positively on the people’s lives and address the enormous challenges faced in the joint effort to develop the region. (The Guardian: Text, excluding headline)

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