The minister of state for petroleum resources, Ibe Kachikwu says the federal government was poised to change the development narrative of the Niger Delta. He said this was hinged on the fact that the region remainsa critical contributor to the nation’s economic profile.

Kachikwu said this today when he paid a courtesy visit on the palace of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, in Bonny Island. He was on his way to inspect the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited plant and the site for the construction of the Train 7 and 8 that was about to commence.

He regretted that though Bonny community and the Niger Delta were contributing immensely to the economic wellbeing of the nation, the development profile of the region leaves much to be desired.

The minister stated that this has spurred the federal government to close ranks with stakeholders in the region to take definitive and deliberate actions to change that narrative for the better. He further stated that the train 7 plus project would positively impact both the development of the area and social lives of the people.

Earlier, the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, represented by the Chairman, Bonny Chiefs’ Council, Chief (Lt.Col.) Dagogo Claude-Wilcox (Rtd.) had welcomed Kachikwu to his palace.

King Pepple stated that with “our impressive contribution to the economy of this nation, we deserve to have some board appointments as an appreciation for all our efforts.

He expressed the hope that with the commencement of the construction of Train 7 and other oil and gas projects in Bonny the local content law and environmental impact Issues will be implemented fully to the letter. He further called for regular dialogue and interface between the community and the companies.

The revered monarch observed that “Bonny Kingdom has an oil and gas relationship with you before now. That was during your period of service with Mobil Unlimited. You are therefore not new to Bonny Kingdom as you may have since enjoyed the traditional hospitality of our people”.