NDDC Pledges Equitable Development Across Niger Delta, Launches Youth Empowerment Programme

Port Harcourt – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reiterated its commitment to delivering impactful projects across all ethnic nationalities in the region, ensuring equitable development and fostering sustainable growth.

Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku made this affirmation during a meeting with a delegation from the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Ogbuku emphasised the NDDC’s inclusive mandate, stating that the commission is dedicated to serving all communities and aligning its projects with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

A key initiative highlighted was Project HOPE (Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement), a youth empowerment program designed to create a comprehensive digital database of Niger Delta youths, detailing their skills, qualifications, and employment status.

This database will facilitate targeted opportunities for young people in the region.

The NDDC boss urged the Ogbakor Ikwerre delegation to promote peace and support President Tinubu’s administration’s policies, emphasising that development thrives in peaceful environments.

He announced plans for major infrastructural projects, including a significant initiative to illuminate the Niger Delta with solar-powered streetlights as a crime-reduction measure.

Eze (Dr) Godspower Onuekwa, President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, commended Ogbuku’s leadership and urged the NDDC to prioritize development projects in Ikwerre land to improve the living conditions of its people.

He expressed concern over abandoned projects due to unscrupulous contractors and proposed the involvement of the Ogbakor Ikwerre in project monitoring to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding of the NDDC’s commitment to equitable regional development and the importance of collaborative efforts between the commission and community leaders to ensure the successful implementation of development projects.