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The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND Foundation), African Development Bank, Nigeria (ADB) and some stakeholders have concluded plans to invest over N30.3bn in infrastructural and agricultural development in the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
They met recently in Calabar during a two-day Cross River International Collaboration and Investors’ Summit (ICIS), agreeing to collaborate on new strategies for regional integration and economic development of the Niger Delta.
PIND Foundation’s Executive Director, Dr Dara Akala, represented by the Deputy Executive Direction, Tunji Idowu, in his goodwill message at the summit, said: “The Niger Delta needs new approaches and platforms for setting strategic directions and working smarter together towards attracting the much-needed investments for development and wealth creation in the region”.
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Akala stated that the summit is a significant milestone in transformation of Cross Rive State’s economy and the region.
The president ADB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, represented by Senior Director, ADB, Nigeria, Mr. Ebrima Faal, said the time for infrastructure development in Nigeria and the Niger Delta is now reason it is investing over $200m for Nigeria’s electrification programme, aside assisting the region and Nigeria in areas of industrialisation.
A key development at the summit was the launch of the state’s 30-year Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) by Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, which was witnessed by the Ambassadors of the Republic of Korea, Major General Lee In-Tae (rtd), that of Royal Norwegian Embassy, Mr. Jen-Petter Kjemprud.
