Port Harcourt, Aug.1, 2023 – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDCC) is to establish Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to create new jobs and stimulate economic activities in the region.
Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC Managing Director, said this at a meeting with journalists in Port Harcourt.
He said the chamber of commerce would be used to engage entrepreneur who would, in turn, provide employment for thousands of youths in the Niger Delta.
“So, the idea of NDCC is to gather entrepreneurs in the region together under one platform so that if we (NDDC) are supporting them, then we share the risks together.
“NDCC will provide the opportunity for businesses of members to be verified, and based on that verification, NDDC will offer support for the young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
“We know that there are lots of entrepreneurs who are very good in agriculture, among others, and so, we will ensure that NDDC is supporting the right people,” he said.
Ogbuku discarded the impression that many youths of the Niger Delta were restive and had militancy traits.
“We know that most of our youths are not militants, but entrepreneurs, who if properly supported, will do very well for themselves.
“So, this means that entrepreneurs must come together under the NDCC platform, so that once we engage them, then they will be the one to verify members’ businesses.
“If at the end of the day, any entrepreneur that fails, then they will share the risks with NDDC, as we do not want to share money politically,” he said.
Ogbuku said the commission was also looking at establishing a corporate governance system and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) module in NDDC.
According to him, setting up corporate governance will lay a solid foundation for robust development; strengthen NDDC Public-Private Partnership and align projects and programmes that meet aspirations of the people. (GBN)
