By Kelvin Obambon
Cross River representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, has called on indigenes of the state to take advantage of opportunities in the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) to enhance their lives.
Duke made the call shortly after he delivered an address of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, at a one-day sensitization workshop on the establishment of NDCCITMA in Calabar on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission’s MD/CEO, Hon. Orok Duke, highlighted that NDCCITMA aims to reposition the region’s capital and investment landscape by offering vital support to businesses and entrepreneurs who struggle with stringent commercial lending conditions.
He assured that NDCCITMA will significantly transform sectors like transport, manufacturing, mining, and agriculture.
“In our avowed commitment to reposition the capital and investment potentials of the region and provide a sustainable structure and platform through which established entrepreneurs, innovators and struggling businesses can advance their aspirations, we decided to promote the establishment of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce Industry, Trade Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA).
“Our intention is to have NDCCITMA stand in the gap between NDDC and Entrepreneurs to provide the long sought support to sustain the business of those who cannot meet the stringent conditions of financial institutions. The Commission has entered into a strategic collaboration with NDCCITMA which has been/sealed by a Memorandum of Understanding.
“With this, NDDC is committed to working very closely with NDCCITMA to design a pathway to prosperity for its people. The successful establishment of the Chambers of Commerce will complement the on-going Project HOPE and IFAD programs. The successful establishment of the Chambers of Commerce will complement the ongoing project Hope and IFAD program. The Commission has carefully engineered these programs to positively affect the lives of the people of the region.
“Under the strategic Partnership with the NDCCITMA, there will be serious relief for the people of Niger Delta region that are involved in entrepreneurship. The activities of the Chambers will positively influence development of robust transport system, manufacturing, merchandising, mining, marine and food security for our families. Here we intend to work with the people and bring down the cost of food to affordable levels in order to improve the health of our people.
“Furthermore, we will through the NDCCITMA establish a well-structured internship placement system that guarantees placement for our young graduate when they leave school, this strategy will help us fight the unemployment epidemic and restore hope to our people. We look forward to working with NDCCITMA to design industry friendly skill development programs that will take into cognizance training and re-training programs through various models including apprenticeship,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Projects in the Commission, Hon. Victor Antai, said that NDCCITMA will bridge the gap for small and micro-businesses, while he urged entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Niger Delta to take full advantage of the opportunity.
On his part, Chief Solomon Edebiri, the NDCCITMA consultant, emphasized that the initiative was designed to boost grassroots development and foster economic growth. He explained that membership is open to individuals and businesses across various sectors, from nano to mega scale.
The sensitization workshop would hold across the 9 states in the Niger Delta region.