The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in furtherance of their efforts to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, in a statement, quoted the commission’s Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, as giving this hint in Port Harcourt during a courtesy visit to his office by a delegation from the NLNG.
Ogbuku said that the commission adopted the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement as its core policy to drive the development of the Niger Delta region.
He explained: “We decided to adopt the PPP model to provide alternative sources of funding for key development projects and programmes.
“We have received a copy of your proposed Memorandum of Understanding and we are looking at it. We will look at the details of your MoU. We believe that development is the practical tool for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region.
“Because we know that partnerships are one of the major ways to achieve the development of the Niger Delta region. One of our successful partnerships is the partnership between the NDDC and the Shell Petroleum Development Corporation to build the Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State”, Ogbuku added.
He noted that the 29-kilometre road stood out as an example of what could be achieved through partnerships.
The NDDC boss commended the management of the NLNG for reaching out to collaborate with the Commission, stressing that “what is paramount to us is that the NLNG is keen to partner with the NDDC to develop the Niger Delta region. We want partnerships that will bring prosperity to the people of the Niger Delta region.”
Earlier in his remarks, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Mr. Andy Odey, noted that development of the Niger Delta region was key to the company’s operations in the region which had been on-going for over two decades.
He said: “Part of building Nigeria is through partnerships. We are happy that such an opportunity has presented itself to us today. We pride ourselves in working towards sustainable development.”
“We believe that development cannot happen alone through government. The best way for development to happen is through partnerships.”
Photo Caption
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, (right) presenting a plaque to the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Mr. Andy Odey, (left) when he led a delegation of the company on a courtesy visit to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt while the NDDC Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) in centre watches.
