PORT HARCOURT

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has allocated a total of N10 billion to the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, with the aim of fostering entrepreneurial activities and boosting economic development within the Niger Delta area.

During the inauguration of the NDCCITMA board of directors in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, revealed the launch of the fund. He mentioned that the initial disbursement of N10 billion represents one-third of the total commitment of N30 billion from the commission to support the Chamber of Commerce.

As stated by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the Director of Corporate Affairs, on Saturday, Ogbuku emphasized the commission’s dedication to fostering commercial and trading activities within the area. This message was delivered through Alabo Boma Iyaye, the NDDC Executive Director for Finance and Administration.

He stated, “At the launch event for the awareness campaign, I highlighted that the commission plans to allocate N30 billion to the Enterprise Development program, which will be overseen by NDCCITMA. This initiative aims to assist entrepreneurs within our area across nano, micro, and small business scales.”

I have come to reinforce our commitment to this pledge. Today, we will fulfill this promise by disbursing 10 billion naira to the bank designated by NDCCITMA to immediately initiate the entrepreneurs’ development program.

We are excited about collaborating with NDCCITMA to boost economic development within the states and across the entire region. The specifics regarding program operations will be determined between NDCCITMA and the commission.

The commission has endorsed 5,000 enterprises to launch this initiative. We guarantee that the NDDC is committed to expanding the area’s commercial landscape through promoting participation in all NDCCITMA events.

The Managing Director instructed all contractors and suppliers working with the NDDC to make sure they register with the NDCCITMA by July 31, 2025.

The commission wishes to recommend that all present and potential sellers associated with the NDDC should enroll with NDCCITMA. Registering here will provide additional benefits for being considered for ongoing support from the commission. Furthermore, Mr. Ogbuku highlighted that up until July 31st, each NDDC contractor needs to ensure they are properly enrolled with NDCCITMA.

During his welcoming speech, the NDDC Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, mentioned that the organization wasn’t just initiating the NDCCITMA Board of Directors; they were also commemorating the emergence of a fresh start for the Niger Delta area. He highlighted that this event marks the establishment of an essential hub for fostering business growth within the Niger Delta region.

Antai, represented by Mrs. Lyna Okara from the NDDC Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Development, stated that the operations of NDCCITMA have officially begun.

He highlighted that the Board of Directors at NDCCITMA was meticulously chosen and consisted of experienced individuals—professionals who had excelled in their respective domains.

Antai declared, “Today we enter a new chapter in the region, a chapter that opens the way to rewrite the region’s development agenda, where business development through trade, commerce, industry, and agriculture will take centre stage.”

During his statement, the Chairman of the Board from NDCCITMA, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, confirmed that the Chambers are prepared to collaborate with the NDDC in order to realize their objective of revitalizing the Niger Delta area.

He stated, “We completely endorse the NDDC’s mission to reshape the Niger Delta into an area that is economically thriving, socially harmonious, environmentally restorative, and politically upright.”

The NDCCITMA serves as an instrument in driving this transformation. Our objective is straightforward: to act as a stimulant for growth encompassing every level of the economy, ranging from small ventures like nano- and micro-businesses to larger entities including medium-sized companies and major industries.

Ogan added, “This platform will promote employment opportunities, enhance skill acquisition, foster innovation, boost exports, and establish fruitful collaborations.”

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