The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh has pledged to utilize the resources of the ministry transparently.

Momoh stated this on yesterday when he hosted members of Edo Journalists’ Forum in Abuja.

He said that the present challenges of government was quite enormous in view of scarce financial resources.

Momoh said that whatever the ministry gets would be managed as best as it could, so that people could see for themselves.

He explained that expectations by people of the Niger Delta was high, but lamented that because of the present economic situation in the country, resources are low.

“But at least we will manage transparently, the resources that is available to us. That is what we stand for.

“Because if you want to go to equity, you go with clean hands. We want to restrain ourselves from so many things that others are used to doing in the past.

” I don’t want my integrity and my authority to be eroded in any way,” he said.

The minister said that the ministry was open to all people of the region.

He said that the ministry would collaborate and work with colleagues, and stakeholders to ensure that some of the responsibilities and expectations for the region were met.

“I know the expectations are quite high, so we will ensure that those we cannot do directly, we get our colleagues and stakeholders to help us.

“Other responsibilities which are being handled by other agencies in the region, we will also work with them to ensure that the region is adequately taken care of,” he said.
Momoh charged journalists to help in whatever way they could by projecting the ministry positively.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the Forum, Dr Leon Usigbe said the group were on the visit to congratulate the minister on his new appointment.

“We are also here to show solidarity, and to let you know that we share in the dream, to create a vibrant and a new Niger Delta.

“We believe that as the goose that lays the golden egg, the Niger Delta deserves more than it currently receives.

“And we are confident that with someone like you, who is a change agent, who is passionate about development, this is the best time that this region can look up to,” he said.

He said that restiveness in the region was due to youth employment.

“But we know that with your ability, and you at the helms of Niger Delta Affairs, things are going to be different,” he said.