The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Usani Uguru Usani, says the ministry will soon begin to hold town hall meetings in communities of the Niger Delta region.

Usani disclosed this on Friday when led the Minister of State of Niger Delta, Prof. Claudius Daramola, and other senior officials of the ministry on a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom.

He said that the ministry decided to embark on such meetings because it has realised the importance of information communication to the people at the grassroots.

The paramount ruler, Dr Effiong Archianga, said Ibeno people are peaceful and requested that the ministry should implement the N2 billion project earmarked for equipping Ibeno Skills Acquisition Centre.

Archianga said the money was jointly set aside by the Akwa Ibom Government and Mobil Oil for the completion and inauguration of the project.

He appealed to the minister that Ibeno should be considered in award of oil and gas pipeline surveillance contracts.

“Oil blocks should be shared between the Niger Delta region and others. True Federalism should be introduced,” he urged.

Besides, the traditional ruler appealed to the minister for vehicles, speed boats and outboard engines with accessories for Niger Delta local governments and states. (NAN)

•Photo showsUguru Usani.