Abuja — The Federal Government will fast track the execution of strategic projects in the Niger Delta region to accelerate the implementation of the development master plan for the region, the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Amnesty and Minister of Defence, General Godwin Abbe has said.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at the weekend, the minister said the projects to be fast tracked include the construction of the Atlantic Coastal Highway; construction of East-West highway and the construction of the East-West rail line running through Calabar-Uyo-Port Hacourt-Yenagoa-Warri-Benin-Lagos.

Others are the development of Inland Waterways, clean-up of the environment of oil spillages, commencement of massive land reclamation and the development of new towns among others.

He said modalities for direct funding of oil producing communities which would afford the people and their leaders the opportunity to plan and execute projects relevant to their peculiar needs were being put in place.

He however said development of infrastructure such as schools and hospitals would fall under the purview of states and local governments within the region.

He said the oil companies operating in the region were now challenged by the federal government's laudable efforts to review their policies and operational techniques to meet global best practices in the oil and gas industry.

"They can no longer continue to hide under obsolete arguments that do not meet modern standard to renege on good nieghbourhood responsibilities to their host communities," Abbe noted.

He urged all operators in the region to strive to factor in larger interest of the local community in their dealing in a mutually beneficial way, while calling on private sector players to remain faithful to their social responsibilities by exploring larger latitudes to enhance development in their locations of work.

Minister of information and communications, Dr Dora Akuyilli said the federal government was determined to take all necessary steps to vigorously address the challenges of the post-amnesty in order to bring long lasting peace and sustainable development to the Niger Delta and the entire nation.

More than 15,000 militants have disarmed and taken the amnesty offer since it began in August.

The information and communication minister said "agitations" are over and that development must take place in the region for peace to continue.

The amnesty which expired on 4th October has ushered in the cessation of arms conflict and destruction of lives and properties and other forms of criminality in the region.