Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for establishing the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCITMA).
He noted that the initiative would accelerate socio-economic development in the region.
The governor stated this in an address read on his behalf by the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Sonny Ekedayen, during a sensitization workshop organized by NDCCITMA in Asaba, Delta State.
He said: “I want to appreciate and commend the NDDC for the laudable initiative of setting up the Chamber of Commerce, which can support and connect businesses and companies.
“It is my considered view that the move will undoubtedly accelerate socio-economic development in the Niger Delta region.”
Oborevwori explained that the engagement and partnership between the NDDC and NDCCITMA would help address issues of common interest and foster more dynamic regional development.
He observed that the national economic crisis had become a compelling factor for initiating processes that could lead to better governance, income generation, and public expenditure.
The governor noted that NDCCITMA would assist states in the region in identifying areas of cooperation and good governance.
He further said: “The national economic crisis has compelled us to rethink the processes of governance, public spending, and alternative income generation.
“I expect that through the establishment of the NDCCITMA, we will be able to identify areas of cooperation among states and also formulate a policy template that will engender the promotion and growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises, which are the engine of economic growth in any society.”
In his address, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who was represented by the Director of the Delta State office, Mr. Onoriode Omo-Udoyo, said that the NDCCITMA was set up to bridge the gap between the Commission and entrepreneurs.
A statement by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, quoted Ogbuku as urging Niger Deltans to take advantage of the Chamber of Commerce to grow their businesses.
He emphasized that with the establishment of the NDCCITMA, all contractors doing business with NDDC must register with it.
Also speaking, the representative of the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, and Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Dr. Godwin Nosiri, affirmed that the idea behind the establishment of NDCCITMA was to create a pathway for growing businesses from nano to small and medium-scale enterprises.
