The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has agreed to collaborate with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer to increase Niger Delta people’s capacity in agriculture and other sustainable development programs.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who spoke during a courtesy visit by members of the Presidential Committee at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, stated that sustainable development of the Niger Delta region would be achieved through collaboration.
He remarked that the NDDC had recently inaugurated a Committee on Public-Private Partnership, PPP, to drive its partnership efforts.
Ogbuku assured that the NDDC would continue to engage development partners to bring prosperity to the Niger Delta region because a peaceful Niger Delta region would translate to a peaceful Nigeria.
He declared, “The Niger Delta is very important to Nigeria.” Once there is peace in the Niger Delta, Nigeria will be peaceful. If the region prospers, Nigeria will also prosper.
“I assure you that the NDDC is prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure that our programs impact the Niger Delta region positively, especially the youths of the region. “As it is, most of your programs will bring growth to the Niger Delta region.”
The NDDC boss said that the new management was committed to partnering with agencies that would contribute to the development of the Niger Delta.
He said, “We have to fashion out the PPP model of expanding the development of the Niger Delta.” As you can see, some of the programs you have are international projects that will bring funds to the Niger Delta. “Most of these programs will impact our youth, and I can tell you that we are very much prepared to utilize this opportunity.”
Speaking further, he directed the Chairman of the NDDC PPP Committee, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, to liaise with the Presidential Committee on the partnership.
He underlined the importance of the Commission to the PPP Committee, noting that it was placed under the supervision of the NDDC Executive Director Finance and Administration, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd), and the Executive Director, Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee, Dr. Dahiru Muhammed, observed that the Committee’s programs were centered around agriculture and capacity building.
He said, “Through our training and capacity-building programs, we can help the SMEIs in the Niger Delta region with the transfer of technology and funding. We can partner with the NDDC in the area of training out-of-school children in different vocations.
Muhammed said further: “The Presidential Implementation Committee for Technology Transfer aims to complement Nigeria’s national development agenda in addition to acting as a catalyst for an economic diversification program that aims at taking us off our dependence on oil.”
“Our projects would improve the capacity and processes of individuals and businesses and benefit all businessmen qualified to benefit from such technology transfer, especially in agriculture, mining, and SMEs.”
Ibitoye Abosede, Ph.D.
Director, Corporate Affairs
February 3, 2023
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