NIGERIA - New hope for old 'master plan' on Niger Delta

IRIN
November 19, 2007 http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=75383

CALABAR, 19 November 2007 (IRIN) - The government of President Umaru Yar'Adua says it is serious about tackling the root causes of violence and poverty in Nigeria's troubled Niger Delta with a 'master plan' to develop the region and provide basic services.

Yar'Adua's new budget proposal for 2008 commits 69 billion naira (US $566 million) to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for 2008, more than twice last year's federal budget allotment for the commission.