2 months ago
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The Niger Delta Development Commission has announced plans to build six multi-purpose emergency shelters in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states for Internally Displaced Persons, in preparation for the anticipated floods in the Niger Delta region.
The Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this at a press conference at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday afternoon.
Ogbuku explained that the initiative is part of proactive measures to alleviate the impact of recurring floods in the region. He noted that the project was conceived in response to the frequent flooding challenges faced in the area, and the facilities at the emergency shelters would include essential amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer further stated that these facilities would provide comprehensive support to communities in times of distress.
“We have six of these facilities currently under construction in Otuokpoti and Odi in Bayelsa State, while the ones in Delta State are being built in Patani and Ozorro, with another two in Rivers State,” Ogbuku said.
He assured that the interventionist agency would intensify its efforts to illuminate communities across the nine states of the Niger Delta with solar-powered street lights, as part of measures to combat criminality and maintain peace in the region.
Ogbuku expressed satisfaction with the positive impact of the “Light Up the Niger Delta” campaign, which he observed had reduced criminal activity in various communities and enhanced commercial activities in those areas.
He stated, “We decided to adopt a clean energy approach which not only provides light but also helps mitigate the effects of climate change on our environment.”
Regarding the Commission’s youth empowerment programmes, he announced that the Holistic Opportunities Programme of Engagement (HOPE) would be launched at the end of this month in Port Harcourt.
Discussing the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme, Ogbuku affirmed that entrepreneurial and skills enhancement were key components for unlocking the potential of the youth in the Niger Delta region.
He said that the objective was to enable young people to acquire meaningful and self-sustaining skills that would improve their lives, support their families and communities, and thus ensure peace in the region.
In the area of entrepreneurship, Ogbuku noted that the NDDC, through the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, had streamlined support for farmers and verified entrepreneurs in the region.
He added, “Technology is key to the future of the Niger Delta. As technology evolves, it is wise to adapt and prepare for the future. We are ready to collaborate with relevant organisations to provide a training platform for our youth.
“We need to build our youth and our children as well. We have acquired 45,000 U-Lesson tablets for distribution to schools for the use of our children. We will soon launch these tablets and deploy them to schools across the region.
“These U-Lesson tablets will be distributed to schools with government oversight. They will not be given to individuals because the goal is to ensure that more people, especially the underprivileged, benefit and boost their education.”
Ogbuku listed some of the NDDC’s achievements, particularly in completing and inaugurating impactful projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.
He mentioned the 25.7-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe road, executed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and the commissioning of the 132KV Transmission Line and 132KV/33KV electricity substation at Okitipupa, which serves over 2,000 communities in southern Ondo State. Similarly, another 1×15 MVA 33/11 KVA injection substation was inaugurated in Amufi, Edo State.
Further, he noted, “In Akwa Ibom State, we commissioned the 600-metre Ibeno Bridge and the 6.87-kilometre Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-IwuoAchang Road in Ibeno Local Government Area. This N10 billion virgin road project links 20 communities previously separated by the Qua Iboe River.
“In Abia State, we commissioned the Obehie to Oke Ikpe road, reconstructed for N3.5 billion. This nine-kilometre road restores the link between Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.”
