Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has called on development partners and donor agencies to end marginalization of Imo State in their collaborative effort to stimulate growth in Niger Delta.
He made this remark earlier today while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of 2015 two day Niger Delta Development Forum organized by The Niger Delta Partnership Initiative Foundation (NDPI) in Asaba, Delta State.
The forum which seeks to increase level of awareness and shared understanding among stakeholders of systemic constraints and enables that shape delivery of non – oil and pro poor initiatives for inclusive economic growth in the Niger Delta; way to increase opportunities towards achieving growth; facilitation of commitment of key actors as it relates to government, private sector, civil society and donor community among other objectives.
Prince Madumere praised the organisers of the forum for creating a forum where the leadership of various Niger Delta States to interact and discuss the impact of partnership with the collaborative organizations to foster development in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking further, admitted that the partnership may have yielded dividends in facilitating hitch-free project start up and implementation through the provision of infrastructure, logistics, security and local procurement support.
While not frowning at the achievements of the development partners and other donor agencies in the area of “Appropriate Technology Enabled Development for research and implementation of community based projects, he was quick to point out that the impact of the activities the Forum has remained minimal in Imo State.
He also used the opportunity to call on the forum to take a comprehensive look at the developmental strides of Owelle Rochas Okorocha led government since 2011 and appreciate the rate at which the government has turned things around. He cited efforts in the area of infrastructural development, which he said any effort expended with Imo State will result in monumental growth and development.
He therefore urged the forum and other partners to focus on Imo State to complement the effort of the Rescue Mission Government to enhance the course of development.
