The Delta Government on Thursday said it is committed to sustaining the peace and security prevailing currently in the state.
The state's Commissioner for Youth Development, Mrs Omatshola Williams, made the announcement in Asaba at the opening of a workshop on`Crisis Management and Nation Building.
The commissioner who represented Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan at the event,organised by the Christian Professional League, a faith-based organisation, said that government had made significant progress in maintaining peace and security.

``We have made significant progress in restoring peace and security in our communities and the creeks of the Niger Delta.
``The initiative involved collaborative efforts with traditional rulers, church leaders, community leaders ,youths, security agencies and the Federal Government culminating in the amnesty package.

``We inaugurated the state waterways security committee and a fresh approach to security demanded by the post amnesty period,” she said.
She said that the Federal Government also had in place its approach to security in the Niger Delta, including 10 per cent equity to oil producing communities.
According to her, the Delta Government's approach to security included the involvement of young people in self-sustaining ventures during the post amnesty period.

She said that the state government was also committed to strengthening the Oil Producing Areas Development Commission to build new towns in the creeks.
``We are starting with the building of Okerenkoko and Ugborodo.Communities. We are also dealing with environmental problems in the state.

``Pollution is a major challenge because large populations have been forced out of their natural abode and means of livelihood.
``Once we clean up the water and soil to avoid further pollution,there would be opportunity for our people to get involved in fishing and farming beside oil,'' Williams said.
Prof. Afam Mordi, the Chairman of the league said that the group had been promoting and upholding what he termed ```core professional values in consonance with Christian ethics.''
He said the league was also engaged in encouraging healthy and positive discourse for societal transformation and growth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that papers presented at the occasion include, ``Coping with Executive Stress and Burn-out Syndrome'' by Prof. A. F. Uduigwomen of the University of Calabar.
Prof. Imahe John of Ambrose Alli, University, Ekpoma in Edo, also delivered a lecture on Managing Financial Crisis in a Global Economy''.
Prof. Ehi Oshio, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Benin, delivered a lecture on the ``Challenges of National Security and Development.