UAE, NDDC partner on Niger Delta development projects

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have agreed to set up a joint committee to develop a partnership framework to support development projects and programmes in the Niger Delta region.

This followed a meeting between the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al-Shamsi, and a delegation from the NDDC, led by the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, at the UAE Embassy in Abuja.

A statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said Al-Shamsi expressed willingness to partner with the NDDC on Information Communication Technology (ICT), education, health, agriculture, and youth development.

He endorsed the suggestion for a joint team to develop areas of collaboration between the UAE and NDDC.

The UAE envoy commended the NDDC for its development initiatives and said his country was willing to collaborate and support the Commission in executing more development projects.

Al-Shamsi said: “We are happy with this visit and the opportunity it has given us to explore areas of cooperation and support. We appreciate the robust relationship between the UAE and Nigeria.”

The ambassador expressed satisfaction that his country had normalised its relationship with Nigeria, stating that the national carrier of the UAE, Emirates Airline, had resumed operations between Lagos and Dubai.

The NDDC boss briefed the UAE team on what the Commission was doing and the achievements it had recorded so far.

He specifically asked for collaboration in the NDDC’s health intervention in the Niger Delta, urging the UAE to assist in equipping the Commission’s Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopaedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Ogbuku added: “As part of our commitment to expanding the frontier of the NDDC’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP), I welcome the opportunity to meet with UAE officials to foster collaboration in health, education, as well as oil and gas.”

He said he was eagerly expecting the dividends of the newly forged relationship with the UAE and the impact it would have on the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC team included the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; and other Directors of the Commission.