Tag: NDDC

By Kelvin Obambon

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed hundreds of bags of 50kg rice and several cartons of vegetable oil to heads of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government in Cross River State. The distribution also captured paramount rulers in the state traditional rulers council and heads of federal security agencies in the state.

The Commissioner representing Cross River in NDDC board, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke who personally supervised the distribution exercise, said that the items were part of the Christmas package the Commission distributed to same group of persons across 9 states in the Niger Delta region.

He said NDDC as an interventionist agency prioritizes the welfare of people in the region, emphasizing the Commission’s determination towards actualizing the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

Captured in the distribution were some top state government officials, heads of security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, among others.

See photos below:

By Kelvin Obambon

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has delivered 30 more refuse bins to Cross River in an ongoing effort to complement the state government’s drive towards effective waste management and eventual restoration of the state to its clean and green status.

The delivery of the third batch of a total of 300 waste bins allotted to Cross River is timely, coming on the 27th December, a day to the main Calabar Carnival event that usually draws a large number of holiday-makers to the ancient city.

“The more revellers in the city, the more the waste that would be generated. Therefore the delivery of the waste bins could not have come at a better time than now,” Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the NDDC state representative commented.

Recall that in February 2024 the first batch consisting of 13 waste bins were delivered to the state. In June a second batch of 10 waste bins were delivered, with this third batch made up of 30 dumpsters delivered in December, thus bringing the total waste bins delivered within the year to 53.

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The donation is part of a broader commitment by the interventionist agency to foster environmental sustainability and public health initiatives in the Niger Delta region.

Rt. Hon. Chief Orok Otu Duke, the Cross River State representative at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to ending all forms of violence against women and girls.

In a statement to mark the ongoing 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Chief Duke emphasized that the NDDC operates on a strict policy of zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

In his statement, Chief Duke expressed concern over the persistent threat of violence against women and girls in the Niger Delta region and beyond. He highlighted that the issue remains a major impediment to achieving gender equality, sustainable development, and peace.

“As a Commission tasked with driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta, we recognize that no society can thrive when half of its population faces systemic discrimination and violence. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls, not only in our operations but across communities in the region,” Chief Duke said.

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He further noted that the NDDC has initiated partnerships with civil society organizations, government agencies, and international partners to strengthen efforts aimed at combating SGBV. These initiatives include community sensitization campaigns, economic empowerment programs for women, and providing support for survivors of violence.

Chief Duke also used the platform to call for collective action from all stakeholders. He urged state and local governments, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and community members to work together in fostering a culture of respect and dignity for women and girls.

“The fight against SGBV requires more than just policies. It demands action from every one of us. Let us rise as a society to protect our women and girls, ensuring they live without fear of violence or discrimination,” he added.

The 16 Days of Activism, observed annually from November 25 to December 10, serves as a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and girls. This year’s theme, “UNiTE: Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls”, resonates with Chief Duke’s advocacy and the NDDC’s broader mission of advancing gender equity in the Niger Delta.

The former Lawmaker concluded his statement by reaffirming the NDDC’s commitment to supporting survivors of violence, promoting preventive measures, and ensuring that perpetrators of SGBV face justice.

“Together, we can end violence against women and girls. Let’s unite to build a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive,” he said.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed over 30 boats across riverine communities in Cross River State to ease the impact of devastating floods that have disrupted livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. The Commissioner representing Cross River State on the NDDC Board, Otuekong Orok Duke, stated that this distribution is part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to provide relief to those affected.

Speaking to pressmen in Calabar, Duke explained that the boats form part of a larger set of relief materials meant for flood victims, initially scheduled for delivery months ago.

“These boats were intended for dispatch three months ago,” Duke shared. “However, delays in delivery meant that we had to advocate for Cross River’s allocation. We eventually received them about four months back, and while only 30 boats are available, we wanted to ensure they reached the communities in need.”

Duke emphasized that while many communities were affected by the floods, this distribution prioritized riverine areas in the southern parts of the state.

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“We directed the boats to communities such as Esuk Atu, Obufa Esuk Orok, Idang, Anantigha/Jebbs, Esiere Ebom, Duke Town, Volvo Market, and Lemna Beach within Calabar municipality. Additionally, we sent 10 boats to Adiabo and Odukpani for areas including Adiabo and Ikot Offiong Beaches,” he added.

Duke noted that these boats represent only a portion of the palliatives already distributed. He acknowledged the delay in the arrival of cassava processing machines, another form of relief, and expressed hope for their arrival soon.

“This contribution is just a small token from the NDDC, especially timely now as people are actively engaged in campaigns and election preparations,” Duke remarked. “We decided to release these boats now as an interim measure while awaiting the other equipment.”

Addressing questions on whether Cross River State is receiving an equitable share of NDDC projects, Duke responded:

“To secure our fair share, we must first understand what has been achieved and what remains. It’s a work in progress, given the scale of historical neglect. For 2024, our budget is about 1.9 trillion naira, but we’re yet to receive the board-approved one trillion naira loan sanctioned by the president. Until the budget is fully passed, we’re limited to spending up to 50% of the previous year’s budget, mainly for staff salaries and essential expenses.”

He further explained that gathering accurate data to assess the full extent of Cross River’s needs is challenging but essential for future planning.

“As we approach our one-year mark on November 26, we’re pushing for fair representation in NDDC’s future projects. With recent remedial measures, we aim to improve Cross River’s position within NDDC, especially in light of our oil-producing status,” Duke concluded.

The NDDC has recently also distributed streetlights and other resources to communities across the state, with a commitment to transparency and equitable implementation of programmes previously lacking these standards.

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.

In a significant step toward improving infrastructure in Ogoja Local Government Area (LGA), solar-powered street lights have been installed in Basan-Mbube, thanks to the efforts of Chief Orok Otu Duke. The project, facilitated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), aims to enhance safety and security in the community, bringing much-needed illumination to a previously poorly lit area.

Chief Duke, the Cross River State representative on the NDDC board, played a pivotal role in attracting the intervention. Through his consistent advocacy for developmental projects in the state, the installation of these solar street lights marks a crucial accomplishment in providing basic amenities to underserved communities. Chief Duke emphasized that this project is only a part of broader initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents across Cross River State.

Residents of Basan-Mbube have expressed appreciation for the project. Anthony Okwe, a native of the community, shared his joy over the installation but also voiced concerns about the limited number of lights. “I am very happy about the development. It’s a great step forward for us. However, we need more lights to cover other areas in the community. Only a few streets have benefited, and there are still many dark corners,” Okwe said.

In response to such concerns, Chief Duke acknowledged the feedback from the community and assured that more lights could be provided in subsequent phases of the project. He reiterated his commitment to securing more NDDC interventions to address the infrastructural needs of Basan-Mbube and other areas in Cross River. “This is just the beginning. We are in talks to bring further developmental initiatives to light up and modernize more rural communities,” Duke assured.

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Beyond the streetlight project, Chief Duke also shared updates on the much-anticipated NDDC internship programme, assuring Cross Riverians of a balanced and transparent selection process. He highlighted that the upcoming list would reflect a fair representation of qualified candidates from the state, especially targeting youths in need of career opportunities and empowerment. “We are committed to ensuring that Cross Riverians are not left behind in the internship programme. It will be an inclusive process,” he noted.

As residents await further developments, the streetlight project is seen as a beacon of hope for the community. The intervention has rekindled optimism that more infrastructural upgrades are on the horizon, driven by leaders like Chief Duke, who continues to push for meaningful progress through strategic partnerships with bodies like the NDDC.

The International Women’s Day celebration was held today, 22nd August 2024 in Calabar, Cross River State, organized by the Adanne Eneka Empowerment Initiative and supported by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The event, which took place in the state capital, focused on women’s health, empowerment, and the significance of International Women’s Day in society.

The representative of the organizing NGO delivered a warm welcome address, emphasizing the importance of women’s empowerment and the role of the organization in driving positive change in the community. The representative also noted that this programme is being conducted across all nine states of the Niger Delta, underscoring the regional commitment to improving the lives of women throughout the area. He also reminded attendees that International Women’s Day is globally recognized on March 8th each year, marking a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality.

In his presentation, speaking on behalf of Dr Patricia Ojekwe, highlighted the essence of the International Women’s Day celebration. He spoke passionately about the progress made towards gender equality and the work still required to achieve true parity. He urged the women to continue advocating for women’s rights and to take active roles in their communities to ensure these rights are respected and upheld.

One of the event’s key segments was a presentation on women’s health by Dr. Effioanwan Archibong, a physician in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. She provided an in-depth look at the many health challenges faced by women, particularly in the Niger Delta region. Dr. Archibong’s presentation addressed several critical issues, including the life expectancy of women in West Africa, the prevalence of heart conditions, and the importance of early detection and treatment of cancers, such as cervical and breast cancer. She stressed that many health conditions remain undiagnosed in women, leading to preventable complications and even death.

Dr. Archibong also emphasized the need to prioritize women’s health, particularly focusing on non-communicable diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. She discussed reproductive health issues, including contraception, abortion, mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, and other critical issues like menopause, violence against women, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy-related disorders, and arthritis. Additionally, Dr Archibong highlighted the importance of regular medical checks, such as pap smears for cervical cancer, monitoring sugar and cholesterol levels, testing for STDs like HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea, and eye exams for conditions like glaucoma.

She further stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, not only for its benefits to infants but also for reducing the risk of breast cancer in women. Maintaining a healthy weight to prevent obesity, which is linked to numerous health issues, was another key point of her presentation. Dr. Archibong encouraged the women to adopt a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and avoiding harmful habits such as alcohol and tobacco consumption.

The event also included a session of entertainment, which provided a lighter note to the day’s serious discussions. Attendees participated in health checks conducted by medical personnel, who measured blood pressure, glucose levels, pulse, heart rate, and oxygen levels. This service was a vital addition, offering immediate health insights to the women present.

In his closing remarks, Chief Dr. Daniel Ajunwa, the Cross River State NDDC Director, applauded the efforts of the organizers and the participating women. He urged women to utilize the information gathered from the health presentations and apply it to their daily lives to improve their health outcomes. Chief Dr. Ajunwa also thanked the speakers for their informative sessions and acknowledged the significance of the lecture series in this year’s celebration.

Hon. Orok Duke, the CRS NDDC Representative, was actively involved in mobilizing women across the state to participate in the event. He stressed the importance of taking advantage of such opportunities to learn about maintaining women’s health and ensuring that this knowledge is passed on to others in their communities. His efforts played a crucial role in ensuring a large turnout and engagement from women across the state.

The day concluded on a high note, filled with education, empowerment, and community support, all aimed at enhancing the lives of women in Cross River State and beyond.