NDDC boss highlights Tinubu’s commitment to Niger Delta Development

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region, emphasizing its importance in advancing the crude oil and gas-rich area.

Dr. Ogbuku made this statement at Warrake, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo North Senatorial District, during the inaugural harvest of NDDC’s rice and cassava farm spanning 50 hectares under its farmers’ empowerment programme.

Represented by the commission’s Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Winifred Madume, Ogbuku described the event as a landmark moment in the history of agricultural initiatives in the Niger Delta.

He recalled the programme’s launch on June 5, 2024, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, where communities across the Niger Delta were onboarded to provide land for the initiative.

The programme highlights the NDDC’s commitment to diversifying the region’s economy through agriculture.

“During the onboarding programme, we assured everyone that this programme will be successful. Today (November 25), this harvest serves as a milestone in a journey that is far from complete but has certainly taken off on a strong footing.

“Work with farmers is also ongoing in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States. As the flood waters recede, we will continue all season across all the states of the Niger Delta.

“The lessons learnt from this inaugural farm and others currently at various stages will support our efforts in continuous improvement.”

Ogbuku also encouraged farmers, communities, and contractors/consultants to continue to work closely with NDDC, to replicate the success across all the project areas and improve on the accomplishments.

He said: “I thank President Bola Timubu for his commitment to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta, and the special emphasis he has placed on food security in Nigeria. The NDDC will continue to work to accomplish his instructions.

“I thank the leadership of the Warrake community for not only the land you made available but also the enabling environment you provided for the success of this project.

“I am grateful to all the farmers here for your hard work, leading to the harvest we are celebrating. From the proceeds of this harvest, we will continue to sustain this programme, even as you benefit from your hard work.”

The managing director also stated that in the select communities where the farms were yet to start, he assured that the project would not only come to their communities but when it would come, it would be sustained.

Ogbuku noted that the programme was designed in such a way that it would not only be self-sustaining but would by force of success attract financial institutions and other partners to join in expanding to reach more communities and farmers.

The consultant to the project, Von Dimieari, while also speaking, stated that NDDC was revitalising agric development in the Niger Delta and that the commission was very central to the development of agriculture in the region.

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/nddc-boss-highlights-tinubus-commitment-to-niger-delta-development/

Date: 26Nov24