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Edo and Abia states have won the maiden edition of Niger Delta Development Forum (NDDF) long-term development plan pitching competition.
The NDDF organised it as part of events to mark its 7th outing, with other participating states including Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, and Akwa Ibom.
The forum, which was held on last week in Edo and Rivers states, is a project of Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), supported by some development partners.
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The winning states will be offered extensive technical assistance and capacity support towards ensuring that their aspirations are brought to reality.
PIND’s Executive Director, Dara Akala, said: “There are several kinds of agenda in the states, but what is often missing is the long-term strategic plan that transcends the life of any administration.”
He said the competition was introduced to serve as a window for the nine states in the region to share expectations and plans.
Led by the state governments, it is aimed at getting expert recommendations on policy actions and strategies.
The forum is an annual event by PIND, which is supported by organisations as the Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE), the European Union, Department for International Development (DFID), Faculty for Oil Sector Transformation (FOSTER), and Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI).
