NDDC sets to organise PPP summit in Lagos to mobilize funds for improvement of Niger Delta region
Oredola Adeola
As part of measures to enhance access to adequate funds for the realisation of its core mandates which include the provision of sustainable development, improvement of infrastructure and redefining livelihood of people living in the region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced its plans to host a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Lagos.
This was confirmed in a statement by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku Managing Director/CEO of the NDDC, and obtained by EnergyDay on Wednesday.
According to him, the summit, themed “Rewind to Rebirth,” will launch the NDDC’s new initiative for sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC MD/CEO revealed that the event will bring together stakeholders from various sectors and industries to explore opportunities for collaboration and investment in the Niger Delta.
Dr. Ogbuku disclosed, “The NDDC is a public sector organization established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to address the developmental challenges of Nigeria’s impoverished but hydrocarbon-rich Niger Delta region. The Commission has, since its inception, embarked on this mandate with some visible impact. Yet we still have much to do.”
“Inadequate funding ranks very high among the numerous challenges of the Commission. Against this backdrop, the current Governing Board and management decided to espouse the Public Private Partnership model to provide an alternative funding source for key development projects and programs. This initiative aligns with the NDDC mandate and the Sustainable Development Goals 17, which focuses on partnerships.”
“We have carefully planned the NDDC-PPP summit as a strategic stakeholder meeting to launch our PPP initiative and communicate a new phase for the Commission. Furthermore, we intend to use the summit to create a gateway of opportunities for foreign and local investors, captains of industries, and multilateral agencies, among others, to join hands with the NDDC to build a new Niger Delta that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peacefully.”
Dr. Ogbuku, however noted that the time is right to open the Niger Delta region’s potential and allow it ti shine brightly. He also invited all stakeholders to join the event in Lagos and share their insights and expertise on how to cultivate a region with viable environment that permits everyone to thrive.
Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, Chairman of the NDDC PPP Committee, on his part, disclosed that the summit will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, breakout sessions, networking events, and an exhibition of projects and initiatives by the NDDC and its partners.
