Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said thinking beyond oil is not only a pathway to sustain development in the region, but has become inevitable as the reality of energy transition and global climate crisis continue to stare in the face.
Ogbuku noted that the Commission is focused on deepening partnerships and promoting investments to secure the future of Niger Delta people in the years beyond oil-driven economy.
The NDDC boss stated this during a three-day development conference in Ondo State, according to a statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the agency, Ibitoye Abosede.
Ogbuku said that partnerships with private sector and development partners would boost funding for accelerated development in the Niger Delta.
The NDDC boss also stressed the key role of state governments as stakeholders, noting that the advisory committee, made up of governors from NDDC member-states, was an important consultative body that ensured collaboration. He said that the agency would ensure that there is synergy with state governments to reduce waste and inefficiency.
He said: “We need meaningful engagement of stakeholders to form relevant and sustainable partnerships. That is why, in NDDC, we take time to listen to stakeholders to know their priorities and ensure that our interventions adequately reflect them.
“We need to be innovative in responding to the fast-changing landscape. The issues confronting us now demand more partnerships and collaboration.
“In line with the partnership drive in NDDC, we hosted a Public Private Partnership (PPP) summit in Lagos on April 25, with the theme: ‘Rewind to Rebirth,’ which attracted stakeholders from across the country and continent.”
In his address, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the state was targeting $2 billion through investments that would transform the state into an industrial hub.
He said: “The response from potential investors so far has been encouraging, with growing interest in exploring investment opportunities that the state offers.
“Our previous summit has led to remarkable success stories, illustrating the effectiveness of this platform in attracting investments and fostering economic growth in our state and enormous values to our partners and investors.
“One of such success stories lies in the corridor of agriculture. Several investors have shown interest in agricultural projects, leading to the establishment of large-scale farms, agro-processing facilities and fruitful partnerships with local farmers. Notably, the ‘Red Gold Project,’ an agricultural initiative implemented by the state government, has gained significant traction.”
