Minister: Niger Delta youths won’t join protest…Tinubu’s works in the region enormous

Abubakar Momoh, minister of Niger Delta development, says the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s policies in the region will discourage its youths from joining the nationwide protest on August 1.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Momoh said while protest is a recognised right, its economic consequences could be counter-productive for the country.

“We are very lucky to have the person of President Ahmed Tinubu who is deeply committed towards the overall development of the country irrespective of the area,” the minister said.

“We know that a number of projects are going on in this country, projects that were never attempted by previous administrations despite the fact that there are lean resources in government now.

“I am surprised, and I wonder if you see what is going on in this administration, and what we have observed is that it appears the majority of Nigerians and particularly the youths are not very conversant with a number of programmes put in place to alleviate the suffering of the youths of this very country.

“To start from my end in the Niger Delta region, I think the president has done a lot for which I don’t think any person who is from the Niger Delta area will deem it necessary to come out and say he’s protesting against bad governance.

“The number of projects that have been executed in the south-south region and particularly the Niger Delta region within this one year cannot be compared with what has happened previously in the last four years.

“For instance, recently, you watched us on the screen commissioning projects in the Niger Delta area.”

The minister said the region is currently benefiting from multiple social initiatives, including a landmark programme launched by the ministry to promote economic empowerment and well-being.

Momoh urged youths to protest responsibly and utilise the government’s empowerment programmes, as the country’s future depends on their positive contributions.

On Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said 10,000 people under the Youth Internship Scheme by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) would be paid N50,000 monthly.

Akpabio said the beneficiaries of the scheme would be engaged in various activities designed to improve their skills.

He added that Tinubu is committed to the development of the region.