Benin — Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has prescribed the restoration of a robust federal system and the building of an economy that is modernised and industrialised as the ultimate solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta.

Chief Ibori stated this on the main campus of the University of Benin where he delivered the Founder's Day lecture, entitled: "Fiscal Federalism, Amnesty and the Youths: The Way Forward."

According to him, the application of the principle of fiscal federalism will resolve one of the fundamental causes of the Niger Delta crisis.

The former governor noted that, "taking care of the officially-registered persons will not solve the problems of the Niger Delta, but to make other youths outside the creek zone benefit from whatever programme the Federal Government will implement."

He recommended political appointments for the youth leaders from the federal and state governments.

"The state governments in the Niger Delta are to complement the central government by offering appropriate places of engagements for acknowledged members of the groups.

"Also, the youths should be employed in mega projects by the multinational companies and the creation of public works scheme and housing schemes and new towns," he added.