In Pursuit of Inclusive Development in Niger Delta region, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has issued a compelling call to action, urging all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to unite and confront the complex challenges facing their communities.
NDDC boss, who made the clarion call during a momentous meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, recently, where he welcomed a delegation from the Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, on a solidarity visit, revealed the Commission’s adoption of a robust Public-Private Partnership, PPP, strategy to fund major projects; adding that this approach entails collaborative efforts with corporate organizations and state governments in the Niger Delta region.
He further reiterated the foundational principle of inclusiveness, underscoring the Commission’s mandate to foster sustainable development across all communities within the nine states comprising the Niger Delta region, and that this commitment to inclusiveness is not only regional but also aligns with the global vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to the NDDC boss, the commission is for the nine states of the Niger Delta region, stating that he is here to work in the interest of the nine states of the region, and that no matter the ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, they all face the same challenges; noting therefore, that they must all work together to address their challenges as Niger Delta are bound by common challenges, including underdevelopment and ecological issues, which he said the Commission was, more than ever before, poised to tackle.
“All Niger Deltans must be accommodating and work in harmony to drive the process of development for the well-being of our people. I was not appointed to look back or shift blames. I was appointed to look forward to fix the problems in the region.
“We are actively engaged in solar power projects to contribute to the fight against climate change. Our goal is to electrify every community using solar energy, while also seeking to recover carbon credits through our projects”, he stated.
While highlighting strategic partnerships, Ogbuku announced critical collaborations with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Limited, aimed at revitalizing essential projects such as the Bonny Ring Road, Okrika-Borokiri Road, and Sampou-Sabagrigha-Ulako Road and Bridge projects. These initiatives resonate with the SDGs, focusing on infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.
He said: “Recently, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, and through that partnership, we intend to revive the Bonny Ring Road project which was stalled for many years. The Okrika-Borokiri Road and bridge project is also being revived in partnership with the Rivers State Government. Similarly, in Bayelsa State, we are partnering with the Bayelsa State Government on the Sampou-Sabagrigha-Ulako Road and Bridge project.”
Responding, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, acknowledged the NDDC’s progress under Dr. Ogbuku’s leadership, and congratulated the commission’s Managing Director on his re-appointment to the Commission’s Board, commending his exemplary leadership.
He appealed to the Federal Government to fulfill its financial obligations to the NDDC, recognizing the Commission as the primary driver of sustainable development in the Niger Delta region congratulated the NDDC Managing Director on his re-appointment to the Commission’s Board, and commend his exemplary leadership.
Moreso, he recognized the Commission as the primary driver of sustainable development in the Niger Delta region
“The NDDC may not have reached where it is supposed to be but the NDDC is far from where it used to be,” he stated.
