Federal govt to invest $25b in transport and energy.

The Federal Government will set aside $25 billion (about N4 trillion) for investment in transport and energy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday.

Osinbajo, who broke the news at the Fourth Niger Delta Development Forum in Asaba, Delta State, said President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was committed to partnering with the private sector to reduce povert

He said the money was being set aside to empower the youth and alleviate poverty.

“We will not measure how well we have performed by macroeconomic indicators, but by how many millions of Nigerians we are able to bring out of poverty.

“So, collaborating with the private, we will impact the youths through agriculture, information technology and skills development in other areas aimed at reducing unemployment in the country,’’ the vice president said.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr. Dan Abia, urged those concerned with the development of the Niger Delta to protect and instigate development in the region.

He urged the private sector operators to explore the opportunities in the energy/power sector to drive the small and medium scale enterprises.

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said although the country was passing through “turbulent time”, the region would benefit if they see it as an opportunity to diversify.

He asked the forum to provide an overview of the state of natural resource exploitation in the Niger Delta.

Okowa sought the advice of organisers to deepen the collaboration between the private and public sectors in addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Imo State Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere asked Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other sectors charged with the development of the region to rise to their responsibilities.

He said oil exploration had not rightly impacted the people, especially those in Imo State.

Executive Director, Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) Foundation Mr. Sam Daibo  said the forum was to proffer solutions to the various challenges militating against development in the region.

He thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for partnering with the foundation and called on other development partners to take advantage of the forum to bring 
development to the region.

USAID-Nigeria Mission Director Mr. Michael Harvey  said the future of the region laid in the hands of its people and its leadership.

According to him, there were numerous opportunities begging for exploitation in the region.

He said the U.S. was willing to collaborate with the people to develop the area.

The forum, organised by PIND Foundation, in partnership with USAID-Nigeria, had Collaborative Efforts for Stimulating Investment and Inclusive Economic Growth in the Niger Delta.