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Tag: NDDC

  • NDDC to inaugurate Abia-Akwa Ibom link road

    NDDC to inaugurate Abia-Akwa Ibom link road

    Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has said it would soon inaugurate the 9km Obehie/Oke-Ikpe Road in Ukwa West Local Government of Abia State.

    Speaking during an inspection of the road linking Abia and Akwa Ibom states, the NDDC Executive Director (Projects), Sir Victor Antai, said the commission was making efforts to complete its projects across the Niger Delta.

    Antai, accompanied by other NDDC directors and engineers, said communities in the area would benefit from the project.

    He said NDDC would embark on landmark projects that would make Niger Delta a destination of choice.

    Antai, in a statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said the road would increase economic and social activities between Ukwa West people and their neighbours.

    He said: “We are impressed with the level of work done by the contractor and I will like to commend him for a good job. The asphalt overlay is of good quality and the drainage is solid. From what I have seen, in no time, I will urge the managing director to come in and inaugurate this road.”

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    Antai praised the community for appreciating the efforts of the commission, noting that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration would execute projects that would enhance living conditions in the Niger Delta.

    He advised workers at NDDC Abia State office to put in their best towards the development of the Niger Delta.

    He said: “I am happy with the administrative style of the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. He is working in tandem with the Governing Board to change the narrative of the NDDC and the Niger Delta.

    “I want to encourage every worker of this commission to be up and doing. It is important to monitor our projects to be sure the contractors meet our set standards.”

    Representative of Abia State on the NDDC board, Chief Dimgba Eruba, said the road had been in deplorable condition for many years, leading to loss of man-hours, with the resultant negative effects on the socio-economic activities in the area.

    He said: “The road provides a safe and preferable shortcut for our brothers and sisters in Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states to Rivers and Bayelsa states.”

  • NDDC gives palliatives to flood victims in Rivers

    NDDC gives palliatives to flood victims in Rivers

    The Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has commenced the distribution of palliatives to flood victims across communities in eight local government areas of Rivers State.

    Speaking during the presentation of the relief materials to the flood victims in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State representative on the NDDC Board, Tony Okocha, said the gesture would help the victims to recover from their losses.

    Okocha in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said that each of the 24 trucks carrying the palliatives contained 47 different items.

    He said the items were meant to cushion the effects of the flood on the victims, adding that the distribution of the materials was one of the contributions of the NDDC as a responsive interventionist agency.

    He said: “I stand on behalf of the Chairman of the board of the NDDC and the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who is in-charge of the day-to-day running of the affairs of the Commission, to say to you that it is our resolve that Rivers State and Niger Delta will have a new lease of life.

    “We are there to defend and protect all projects in the Renewed Hope Agenda, the mantra on which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ascended the leadership of this country. President Tinubu has very serious concern about the welfare of Nigerians. Today is one of those demonstrations of the President’s responsiveness to the problems of Nigerians.”

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    He urged the local government chairmen to ensure impartial and judicious distribution of the relief materials to flood victims in Tai, Asari/Toru, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual, Akuku-Toru and Andoni local government areas.

    Okocha emphasised the importance of prioritising the grassroots beneficiaries who have borne the brunt of the natural disaster, stressing that sentiments should play no role in the allocation process.

    Addressing the beneficiaries, the Rivers State Director, Theophilus Allagoa, observed that the delay in the delivery of relief materials to the 2023 flood victims was due to the change in the NDDC board and management.

    He said that NDDC decided to start the distribution of the materials to the worst hit LGAs in Rivers, noting that the commission had different items in the list to distribute.

      He also urged the communities to report to NDDC, if the materials did not get to them.

    Responding on behalf of the flood victims, Chairman of Ahoada-West Local Government Area of the state,  Hope Ikiriko, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the NDDC for the gesture.

  • NDDC to support police in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), has vowed to keep supporting the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies in their efforts to provide security in the Niger Delta region.

    The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, spoke when the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said that the commission appreciated the services of the police to the society.

    He said as an interventionist agency, the commission had a responsibility to make sure that those who protect the lives and property of the people were given the necessary backing to enhance their capacity.

    He said: “Security can only be achieved through collaboration and sharing of information. The NDDC has always been at the forefront in supporting the police. We have executed a lot of projects to support the police and some are on-going.

     In the past, we provided patrol vehicles for the police across the region.”

    The NDDC boss observed that without the support of the security forces, the commission would not perform optimally.

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    “The police deserve all the support that they can get, because they are the ones working, while the rest of us are sleeping,” he said.

    Speaking earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police said that the NDDC had demonstrated commitment to assisting the Nigeria Police to provide adequate security in the Niger Delta region.

    In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, thanked the police for acknowledging the contributions of the NDDC to the Niger Delta region and commended the security agencies for keeping the peace in the region and making it safe for everyone.

  • NDDC vows to support police in Niger Delta

    NDDC vows to support police in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), has vowed to keep supporting the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies in their efforts to provide security in the Niger Delta region.

    The NDDC managing director, Samuel Ogbuku, spoke when the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said that the commission appreciated the services of the police to the society.

    He said as an interventionist agency, the commission had a responsibility to make sure that those, who protected the lives and property of the people were given the necessary backing to enhance their capacity.

    He said: “Security can only be achieved through collaboration and sharing of information. The NDDC has always been at the forefront in supporting the police. We have executed a lot of projects to support the police and some are ongoing. In the past, we provided patrol vehicles for the police across the region.”

    The NDDC boss observed that without the support of the security forces, the commission would not perform optimally.

    Read Also: NDDC gives education materials to schools in Rivers

    He said: “The police deserve all the support that they can get, because they are the ones working, while the rest of us are sleeping.”

    Ogbuku called the attention of the police to the Marine Base axis, adjourning the NDDC headquarters, saying that “the commission will collaborate with the police to improve the capacity of the marine command to provide adequate security in the riverine areas of the region.”

    Speaking earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police said that the NDDC had demonstrated commitment to assisting the Nigeria Police to provide adequate security in the Niger Delta region.

    He commended the NDDC for providing facilities to enhance the operations of the Police and other security agencies and urged it not to relent.

    He said that the police needed the cooperation and support of all organisations to succeed.

    He said: “We acknowledge the role the NDDC has been playing in the Niger Delta and its assistance to the Police. We will cooperate with NDDC and also seek your assistance in some areas. Niger Delta is important to the economy of Nigeria. NDDC projects and facilities need to be protected and we are here to assist.

    “We are here to seek collaboration on how best we can improve the security of lives and properties in the state. The policing pattern in Lagos, Kaduna, and other areas, is different from what is obtainable in the Niger Delta. We know the importance of the Niger Delta to the economy of the nation and the task of securing the region.”

    In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, thanked the police for acknowledging the contributions of the NDDC to the Niger Delta region and commended the security agencies for keeping the peace in the region and making it safe for everyone.

  • NDDC gives education materials to schools in Rivers

    NDDC gives education materials to schools in Rivers

    • Announces 120 scholarships for indigent students

    Rivers State representative on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tony Okocha, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to pursue programmes and activities that would impact on people’s lives.

    He spoke yesterday after distributing learning and teaching materials to primary and secondary school pupils in the three senatorial districts, to mark the International Day of Education.

    The United Nations General Assembly declared January 24 as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. This year’s theme is: ‘Learning for Lasting Peace.’

    No fewer than six primary and secondary schools and a university were visited and given educational materials in the three senatorial districts by the Okocha-led team to mark the day.

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    They are Community Primary School 1 and 2, as well as Community Secondary School, all at Kaani in Khana Local Government.

    Also visited are Community Primary School, Rumuorosi and Community Secondary School, Rumuapara, in Obio/Akpor Area for Rivers East and Western Ahoada County High School, Ahoada East Council, for Rivers West Senatorial Zone and University of Port Harcourt.

    Thousands of 60 leaves exercise books with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s passport photo and Renewed Hope Mantra inscription were captured on the cover of the books, apparently to remind the youth the message behind the gifts.

    Addressing the pupils and students at the schools, the NDDC state representative said the gesture was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Vision, as it relates to education.

    He said: “Today is International Education Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations Assembly. We are here to support the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in his Renewed Hope Mantra, which covers all spheres of life, particularly the one that will push Nigeria to her Eldorado.

    “On behalf of NDDC, which was established to eliminate and reduce poverty in the Niger Delta and one sure way of doing this is to aid the younger ones from the kindergarten to the university level.

    “The reason is because education is the bedrock of every society and an educated society is miles away and apart for development because education is a tool to fight poverty. This is what prompted the coming out to mark this global date of note with distribution of educational materials to the pupils and students as a way to encourage them to be focused and dream and achieve big for the safety of the society and the state in particular.”

    Okocha told the beneficiaries that it was the desire and efforts of President Tinubu to see that the youth grow to become useful to themselves, the state, Nigeria and society at large and encouraged them to be focused and hardworking in their academic.

    “We have brought you this number of exercise books so that it will enhance your learning. We hope that these things we are giving you will make you better children.

    “So we have brought you exercise books so that you will have something to write in. We have also brought pencils, erasers, dusters.”

    He announced the purchase of 110 free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students and 10 scholarships slots for students that would score the highest marks in the JAMB examination.

    At the University of Port Harcourt, Okocha told the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Owunari Georgewill that he chose to visit the school for the global day because of the realisation that he is an alumnus of the university and a vibrant student union leader.

    He promised to come back to the institution on a later date to officially give back to the school in his capacity as a state representative on the NDDC board.

    Okocha gifted the school with over 200 copies of his book- ‘A personal memoire: Through the slippery Slop of Rivers Politics.’

    He visited Mene Bua Kaani and Mene G.B. Apere, where he highlighted the importance of the UN Day on Education to the President Tinubu administration.

    Welcoming the visitors, the monarch told Okocha and his team that Kaani was the largest single community in any local government in Rivers State. “Unfortunately, the community could not have the attention it deserved in terms of basic infrastructure.”

    He expressed the appreciation of his kingdom for the kind gesture of the NDDC to them and appealed to the agency to intervene in the area of roads and drainage system construction, to prevent erosion.

  • FG to harmonize development plans in Niger Delta region

    FG to harmonize development plans in Niger Delta region

    The federal government is currently tinkering with the idea to harmonise all the development plans in the Niger Delta region. 

    A committee has been put in place to work out the modalities that will see the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) development plans collapsed into a single regional development plan.

    The ultimate plan is to fast-tracking development in the Niger Delta Region.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD), Dr. Shuaib Belgore, was quoted to have disclosed this in a statement issued by the ministry. 

    According to the statement, Belgore said: “The Harmonization of the existing Development Plans in the Niger Delta Region was one of the Ten (10) Deliverables the President gave to the Ministry for implementation in the year 2024-2027.

    “We know the year is just starting and it is better we strategically plan our activities towards meeting set objectives that we can all be proud of at the end of the year.

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    “Dr. Belgore recalled that before the Presidential charge, the Ministry was operating the Niger Delta Action Plan, and the NDDC, the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan, with other Plans of State Governments and International Oil Companies (IOCs) existing in the Region.

    “He pointed out that the staggered development plans have been said to be largely responsible for the lack of coordinated development in the Niger Delta Region, as everyone works in a silo.

    “According to the Permanent Secretary, as a result of this, the Federal Government is planning on the need to harmonize the Plans.

     “Therefore, it has directed the Ministry to complete the process of harmonizing the Plans as it could not be attained under the previous administration.

    “To achieve this initiative, I remember that a Committee was set up comprising some staff of the Ministry and NDDC. The Ministry is driving the implementation process, while NDDC is responsible for funding due to insufficient funds in the Ministry to achieve planned outcomes. The thinking resulted in the appointment and engagement of a Consultant by NDDC to ensure that the Plans are harmonized.”

    Also, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, was quoted to have applauded the idea to harmonize all the Development Plans in the region.

    Ogbuku added: “It is very important to the region.  The directive from Mr. President is a welcome initiative that would create synergy for both the ministry and commission and not to work on the cross opposite.”

  • NDDC Commissioner urges youths to embrace sports

    NDDC Commissioner urges youths to embrace sports

    *Ukana Unity Tournament ends

    By Augustine Bassey

    Sports have been identified as a veritable means for the youths to unlock their potentials and attain economic emancipation.

    This was the submission of the Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, during the grand finale of the 2023 Ukana Unity Football Tournament held on Sunday at  the Independence High School, Ukana in the Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    According to him, sporting events like grassroots football competitions have led to discovery of talents who proceed to making a living off the sport.

    He implored the youths to be passionate and serious whenever opportunities like grassroots tournaments present themselves.

    “This is a lesson to the youth to always latch onto things and opportunities such as this,” he advised.

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    Nkono, who performed the ceremonial kick-off before the third place match between Ikot Ofok and Iboho, also hailed the tournament for promoting unity among the Ukana group of villages as well as de-emphazising youth restiveness in the area.

    He said the tournament’s ideology was in sync with the youth empowerment agenda of the NDDC.

    The NDDC Commissioner further hailed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for being a true pillar of sports in Ukana, Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and globally.

    “Through his efforts, this tournament has assumed a national  dimension,” he added

    He also lauded Envoy Nsentip Akpabio, other supporters of the tournament and the central planning committee for the consistency recorded and top-notch organisation of the competition.

    Chairman on the occasion, the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Hon. Unyime Idem, was equally ecstatic over the concept of the tournament, promising that as a legislator, he will work towards ensuring that there is a legislation for the compulsory development of grassroots sports.

    Member representing Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Hon. Barr Patrick Umoh also hailed the success of the tournament, saying he’s “proud to be a part and parcel of the organizers of the tournament.”

    Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko; member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio; Elder Ubong Obot, the CEO of Ubotex Integrated Services, and hordes of other dignitaries also mouthed glittering statements about the tournament and its organizers, pledging to give sundry support for the competition.

    In the third place playoff, Ukana Ikot Ofok defeated Ukana Iboho 3:1 on penalties after the match ended in a 1:1 stalemate.

    Ukana Ikot Akpabio  defeated Ukana Akpautong 4:3 on penalties in the grand finale.

  • Women, others hail NDDC’s transparent, focused leadership

    Women, others hail NDDC’s transparent, focused leadership

    Women and other stakeholders from the Niger Delta have hailed the management and board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for adopting the developmental template of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    A coalition of women groups in a statement at the weekend said the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his team had remained transparent and focused in their efforts to develop the region.

    The group, under the auspices of Coalition of Niger Delta Women Leaders, in a statement signed by its National Leader, Lady Annkio Briggs and Secretary, Amb. Tombra Kasikoro Kiloprite, urged stakeholders of the region to support the NDDC board and warned against any attempt to pull down the board.

    The women said for the first time in the history of NDDC, they saw visionary leadership at the commission and were being carried along in the scheme of things.

    They lauded the management for giving them cash gifts and other incentives during the 2023 end of year festivities.

    The stakeholders commended President Tinubu for reappointing Ogbuku and members of the board and said the commission was thinking outside the box to address the developmental setbacks bedevilling the region.

    They said: “We have some developmental plans and projects that will better the lives of women in the Niger Delta, and we want to do this by partnering with developmental and governmental agencies to ensure women in rural communities are empowered.

    “We call on ‘Niger Deltans’ to give the NDDC board the needed support to succeed, because over time, we’ve been clamouring for the constitution of the board, and since Mr. President has yielded to the yearnings of the people of the region and given us such kind-hearted personalities to run the NDDC, we must work with them to fulfil the mandate given to them.

    “NDDC board has been addressing critical sectors of our region since it came on board and the cooperation among members shows that they have the development of the region at heart.

    “The programmes they are introducing have direct bearing on the people, and that is one of the things that can help to improve the standard of living of the people.

    Read Also: NDDC, DESOPADEC knocked over underdevelopment in Itsekiri oil communities

    “Their community-based approach is commendable because it’s at the community level that we see poverty biting very hard and we are committed to working with the government towards building a safe and peaceful Niger Delta where businesses can thrive, and we urge all to work together, rather than heating up the polity.

    “As a group, we assure the NDDC management team that the Coalition of Niger Delta Women Leaders will continue to partner with them to contribute our quota in ensuring that the region moves forward.”

    Similarly, the Forum of Niger Delta Leaders and Critical Stakeholders met in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where they discussed the current activities and programmes of the NDDC.

    A communique released by the forum after the meeting named leaders in attendance as Senator Essien Ibok Emmanuel, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, Prof Emenike Nyeche  Wami, Amb. Kennedy Tonjo West, Mr Dominic Saataah, Comrade Ita Ante , Prof. Atuboyedia Obianime, Elder Timi K Ogoriba ,Prof Simeon Chituru Achinewhu, among others.

    The leaders observed with satisfaction NDDC’s clear demonstration of resolve to change the narrative and achieve positive results as well as deepening good governance in the administration of the commission.

    They noted efforts by the commission to adopt inclusivity and a broad approach in reaching out to diverse interest groups in the region, including leaders of ethnic nationalities and professional bodies, and praised the tremendous buy-in by the people of the region.

    The leaders noted that citizens across the Niger Delta were well pleased with the positive steps fashioned by the current board and management of the commission, especially their people-oriented service delivery tendency since their inception.

    They observed that many laudable strides in education such as scholarships, vocational training, as well as road infrastructure and other impactful developmental initiatives had begun across the region.

    Stakeholders at the meeting expressed dismay at the awful state of sections of the East-West Road, especially the portions between Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, ravaged by the 2022 flood as well as the Warri-Sapale-Benin Road, Benin-Auchi Road, Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road, among others, across the Niger Delta.

    They said: “We express satisfaction about the direction and achievements so far recorded by the NDDC and urged them to remain focused in their service delivery drive to the people of the region.

    “We commend the renewed drive towards human capital development by the NDDC and agree to partner with the commission in its initiatives, with particular reference to vocational training programmes for youths and women of the region.

    “We again laud President Tinubu for appointing persons of high scale to the board and management of the NDDC as embodied by the present team; and urge them not to disappoint the confidence reposed in them by the President and the people of the region.

    “We call on Mr. President to use his good office (as a lover of the Niger Delta) to take steps towards releasing in tranches, the huge backlog of arrears of money owed the commission by the Federal Government.

    “We believe that such a presidential gesture will not only help escalate the development of the region, but also further endear Mr. President to the Niger Delta people.

    “We appeal to the good people and friends of the Niger Delta to lend constructive support to the leadership of the commission in its determined march to make a difference.”

    The stakeholders called on the Federal Ministry of Works and relevant agencies of the Federal Government to carry out reconstruction work on the failed sections of federal roads in the region.

    They called for the completion of the Ikot Abasi – Eket – Oron section of the East-West Road, and the award of the contract for the Oron – Calabar section of the all-important road.

    They reminded the Federal Government, Ministry of Niger Delta Development and Niger Delta Development Commission of the need for the Trans-Niger Delta Coastal Road project, noting the potential socio-economic benefits.

  • NDDC, DESOPADEC knocked over underdevelopment in Itsekiri oil communities

    NDDC, DESOPADEC knocked over underdevelopment in Itsekiri oil communities

    Despite the annual budgetary allocations to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the 13 per cent derivation fund to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), oil and gas producing Itsekiri communities remain underdeveloped.

    Chairman of Tisun Community Management Council in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, David Odeli, made the assertion in a statement made available to reporters in Warri, Saturday.

    He accused the interventionist agencies, particularly the NDDC, of deviating from its constitutional responsibilities to providing political services to individuals in the Niger Delta.

    According to him, the NDDC offers “low grade services to areas that have no constitutional links to the Commission, neglecting people of the oil and gas bearing communities.

    “The budgetary provisions to NDDC is not reflecting in the Itsekiri oil and gas bearing coastal communities and the urban communities; from Ugborodo shore protection, Orere shore protection and reclamation, down to Ogheye shore protection, as well as reclamation to Ugbege line, down to Ototo boundary with Awoye in Ondo state.

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    “The Tisun/Kolokolo six kilometres road and reclamation projects, including Saghara community and reclamation of Ureju community, as well as sand-filling of Eghoro community, Ebrohimi/Obaghoro link roads and electrification projects, are some of the critical projects in Itsekiri coastal communities in Delta State, abandoned by the NDDC over the years.”

    Continuing, Odeli’s statement read: “The NDDC and 13 percent derivation commission (DESOPADEC) were setup to provide the infrastructural and human capital developmental needs of oil and gas bearing communities, but the reverse is the case as at today, because both agencies have failed in their responsibilities.”

    “DESOPADEC has a giant office complex in Warri and it is one of the most populated government agencies in Nigeria, yet nothing to show for the huge resources allocated to it, in terms of development of the oil-rich communities.

    “What we see is high level misappropriation of funds and lack of good management by the commission. Our communities have no potable water, no electricity, lack internal and access roads, and are deprived of a good healthcare system and social security for our people. This is despite the huge resources drawn from the oil and gas bearing communities.”

    Calling for urgent attention to the communities in terms of provision of social amenities, he warned that failure to do so may lead to hitches in oil and gas production in the areas this year 2024.

    “If these social amenities are not urgently put in place in our communities, I insist that we will not guarantee the flow of oil and gas in the swamp this year, because we are not fools. The resources are God-given and the environment must be uplifted from bad to good, for our future generations,” he declared.

  • Niger Delta youths hail NDDC’s HOPE, Light up Niger Delta projects

    Niger Delta youths hail NDDC’s HOPE, Light up Niger Delta projects

    Youths of Niger Delta, under the aegis of Niger Delta Youths Movement (NDYM), have hailed Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating life-touching projects.

    They said Holistic Opportunities and Project (HOPE) and Light up Niger Delta projects would provide jobs and boost economic development of the region.

    NDYM National President Prince Boboye Peretu, in a statement issued in Uyo yesterday, hailed the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management of NDDC for the twin projects.

    On the HOPE programme, Boboye said it would provide a comprehensive resource database of youths’ population of Niger Delta, which would serve as a platform to empower youths on sustainable basis. 

    He said: “We are aware that 370 trainees cutting across 185 local governments of the nine states of the region have been trained as local government trainers.

    “It is designed to create a comprehensive resource database of youths population of the Niger Delta and as a platform to empower youths on sustainable basis. 

    “We are also aware that HOPE aims to provide targeted training and potential opportunities based on data-driven approach to over 300,000  registrants.”

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    Speaking on the ‘Light up the Niger Delta project, the NDYM president said youths of the region were excited that the project would provide solar-powered street lights in the nine states of the region.

    “Besides assisting the state governments in reducing cost of diesel for generators and other associated ancillary expenses, it has lighted up hitherto dark street corners prone to criminality.

    “Reports from different states have it that this ‘Light up the Niger Delta’ programme has stimulated economic growth, empowered local businesses and serves as a beacon of hope in the nation’s quest for sustainable development.

    “As the umbrella youth group in the region, NDYM shall continue to partner with the commission under your management for the realisation of this unparalleled human and infrastructure capital development venture ever embarked upon by any management since the formation of the commission. 

    “Any laudable project, programme and, or policy for the region from any ministry, department or agency of government shall always be supported, monitored and encouraged for the betterment of our region and people,” he said in the statement.