Tinubu Okays N1Trn Loan For NDDC
•By Our Reporter
PORT HARCOURT – The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted an approval for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to secure a one Trillion naira soft loan to tackle projects in the region.
President Bola Tinubu made public the approval at the ongoing Niger Delta Summit in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu said the step was to empower the board deliver on the presidential priority of ensuring a turnaround development for the Niger Delta region.
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He acknowledged efforts by the present board and management of NDDC to reposition the commission and pledged his administration’s commitment to work with the commission in tackling challenges bedeviling the region.
While looking forward to a robust conversations from the summit that would change the narrative in the region, President Tinubu also tasked the commission to diversify into areas such as agriculture, technology and other sustainable areas of development.
“The Federal Government has approved that NDDC can go ahead to secure a 1trillion loan to tackle projects. The board is expected to work towards delivery of the presidential priorities. We need to change the narratives. We must be committed on how the zone can be transformed. This conference is packed with the who is who in the Niger Delta, the outcome should be unusual”. He said.
In his capacity as President of the 10th Senate and former Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio pledged commitment to completion of the East West Road. He also assured that work on the Lagos- Calabar coastal highway will be tackled simultaneously.
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“The President is committed to ensuring the development of Niger Delta Region.. East West road will be tackled, the National Assembly will ensure that the coastal road commences simultaneously.”
“The story of the NDDC is changing, you have renewed the hope of the people and the president is very happy with you. The Niger Delta region has been a major contributor to the development of the whole country and it is time for the country to bless us”. He said.
In their goodwill messages, Governors of the nine states of the region and other key stakeholders of the region unanimously advocated for diversification to ensure sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen Douye Duru raised concerns over the challenges confronting the people due to dilapidated road network in the region and called for an immediate completion of the East West road to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
“Our region is in dire need of development. Our people are suffering. It takes about four hours to travel from Bayelsa to Port Harcourt. There is need to immediately complete the East West
road. If the contractor is not competent, please hand over the road to NDDC. That is not the Niger Delta our forefathers dreamt of. Please tell the president to act fast on the East West road”. He said.
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The keynote Speaker, Prof Eghosa Osaghae stressed the need for the country and zone to move from a dependent to productive economy, create and maintain research hubs and extend frontiers of interventions to include peace keeping.
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