The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved N200 billion for the provision of infrastructure in the Niger Delta region as part of the post-amnesty programme, which is expected to turn around the fate of the restive area.
The council approved a total of 44 projects and the upgrading of other facilities as a way of fast-tracking the development and transformation of the area.
The projects will cost N179 billion and will be executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) while two other projects at the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bayelsa, and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, near Warri in Delta State, will cost N14.8 billion and N5 billion, respectively.
While addressing journalists after the weekly meeting which was presided over by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili, said the projects cover roads, drainage, bridges, hospitals, educational facilities and housing.
She added that following deliberations between the Niger Delta stakeholders and the Federal Government, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has been mandated to establish a federal polytechnic of oil and gas in Ekoye, Bayelsa State. The institution is to specialise in petroleum, gas and environmental engineering studies and will be handed over to the National Board for Technical Education for academic and administrative purposes on completion.
Oil training
She said already, the NBTE has appointed a rector and a management board for the polytechnic.
Equally, FEC approved the contract for the development of the National College of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, at the cost of N412,404 million.
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