Owerri — Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State has urged President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to re-brand the newly-created ministry that is to deal with the problems of the Niger Delta. Ohakim wants it designated as Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to avoid the possible narrow connotation inherent in calling it Niger Delta Ministry.

The governor, who seized the opportunity of the recent visit by the president, although represented by his Vice, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to advice the Federal Government on issues related to the region, explained that the broader view is to make the ministry more accountable to the nation and avoid it going the way of similar agencies of government before it, adding that the Niger Delta problem is a Nigerian problem.

Ohakim further said that any solution of the Niger Delta problem that does not includes massive education, capacity building and employment as its trust was bound to fail.

He advised the president to release the huge arrears owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), so that it could tackle the development challenges in the region.