In order to promote job creation and increase agricultural productivity in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission said that it has started talks with French and German development agencies.
According to The Punch, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said this while leading a high-level team on a two-day visit to the offices of the German Development Agency and the French Development Agency in Abuja.
This was said in a statement released on Saturday in Port Harcourt and signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs for the NDDC, Pius Ughakpoteni.
The NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Major General Charles Airhiavbare (ret. ), the Executive Director of Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, a partnerships expert, Dr. Uche Igwe, and several Directors from the NDDC.
Dr. Ogbuku emphasized the NDDC’s readiness to investigate novel funding sources and acquire technical know-how for worthwhile initiatives during the visit.
He underscored the Commission’s aim to use innovative approaches and best practices from around the world to address the development issues present in the Niger Delta.
The head of NDDC emphasized the Commission’s dedication to fulfilling its responsibility to improve the standard of living for Niger Delta residents.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission is unrelenting in its pursuit of sustainable development within the region,” Dr. Ogbuku was cited in the statement.
Our joint efforts with prestigious partners like GIZ and the French Development Agency “amplify our collective ability to effect positive and long-lasting change,” the statement read.
Earlier, the AFD Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Xavier Muron, informed the NDDC delegation that the organization is a development partner that places a higher premium on assisting initiatives and activities that deal with mitigating climate change.
Similarly, the GIZ Country Director, Dr. Markus Wagner, stated that there were numerous opportunities for the NDDC to collaborate with the organization, including technical assistance for farmers seeking to access the expanding market for fresh African foods, assistance with improving farmer productivity, and vocational training.
Dr. Ogbuku characterized the conversations, which included participants from both agencies, as beneficial.
“The discussions centered on opportunities for collaboration that would synergize the skills and resources of all entities involved,” Ogbuku continued.
“The collaborative endeavors focus on effectively addressing the various issues the Niger Delta is facing while accelerating sustainable development in key sectors.”
The Executive Director of Projects, Mr. Ogunmola, went into more detail about the particular areas of cooperation under consideration.
“Our discussions covered a wide range of sectors, including initiatives for sustainable agriculture and energy, entrepreneurship development, and environmental preservation,” he stated.
“This partnership offers the potential to transform these industries and open up fresh opportunities for long-term growth.”
