Minister of Niger Delta, Chief Ufot Ekaette, has stated that he would not superintend over corruption in the new ministry established to find total solution to the problem of the oil-rich but poverty-stricken region. Ekaette spoke at a stakeholders' parley in Akwa Ibom State, as part of his tour to the nine states of the region.

He promised that all jobs awarded in the ministry would be carefully and transparently executed. According to him, "there will be no room for corruption in this ministry.

We have said that no middlemen would be used in the award of contracts, only qualified contractors would be awarded contracts of providing infrastructure in the region."

On the need for stakeholders to collaborate with the ministry to identify problems affecting the state and the region as a whole, he said, "this is time for action to begin in order to give hope to the traumatised people of the Niger Delta region." Ekaette, who was accompanied on the tour by the Minister of State in the ministry, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, promised, "we would pursue the construction of the East-West Road, and particularly the coastal roads.

We will do proper costing to ensure that we get the proper cost before going to work." Ekaette said he would do more to ensure that youth militancy stops in the Niger Delta, stressing, "my ministry will work hand in hand with 'proper' youth organisations to ameliorate their plight."

Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Patrick Ekpotu, thanked the minister for the initiative of visiting Niger Delta states to get inputs from stakeholders in the region to achieve the purpose of creating the ministry.

The governor said, "the state welcomes the creation of the ministry, as it would afford the region a voice in the Federal Executive Council." Besides, he outlined areas, which the state wants the ministry to focus on to include; development of rail line that will link the state to the national rail line preferably from Ibaka beach to Uyo.

Others include construction of dual carriageway from Ibaka through Uyo to Tinapa resort in Calabar, provision of infrastructure in government institutions; construction of bridges and jetties; adoption of Eastern Obolo, Mbo and Ibeno as Special Development Areas (SDAs).