From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Federal Government is considering alternative sources of funding that would be used to sustain infrastructural and human capital development in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
The search, according to government, would be spearheaded by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, saddled with the responsibility of formulating policies for the development of the region.
A statement from the ministry indicated that a meeting of the stakeholders that would involve the nine Niger Delta states, Enugu State government and other international oil companies would take place on Thursday, to discuss the plan of action and solicit public input for an acceptable and realistic outcome.
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, said that there was need for the region and the entire nation to move away from reliance on oil revenue, which has not been stable in terms of its price in the international market.
He challenged state governments to look the way of other mineral resources lying untapped in the region and in Enugu State.
Uguru explained that the inclusion of Enugu was in recognition of the vast cashew plantation it is endowed with, adding that the meeting would be an avenue to encourage artisans in the region to contribute to the growth of the economy.