The Republic of Ireland has indicated its preparedness to partner Nigeria, using Cross River State as the pilot state, to ensure it attains socio-economic and infrastructural development.

This, the Irish government believes, will help address the problem of youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sean Hoy, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on the governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, explained that he was in Calabar, to develop a framework of development that involves the states and Federal Government in a bid to find the way forward in their respective developmental strives as well as help curb restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

Amb. Hoy, who also announced the establishment of a development centre in Calabar as part of the initiative, said: “We are here to support them, look at how the development of the Niger Delta can be done better than before. Resources are  not actually the problem, but how to prioritise issues of development.”

Responding, Cross River State Governor, Prof Ayade, said it was critical to address the restiveness that had characterised the Niger Delta region as no development can take place where crisis and tension exist.