… as maiden meeting of NDDC, ex-militants holds in PH
As part of its ongoing moves to kick-start robust and inclusive development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region, the Federal Government is to set up a Niger Delta Development Bank (NDDB).
The bank is expected to disburse soft loans to youths of the region who would be trained to begin their own businesses.
The bank, which start up capital was yet unknown, is part of a development framework mapped out by the Federal Government during a recent meeting between the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), other key stakeholders and leaders of the region.
According to Nsima Ekere, managing director of NDDC, at a maiden meeting with Niger Delta ex-agitators, ex-militants’ leaders and youth leaders of the oil-rich region, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the bank, when established, would make capital easily available for youth-trainees to begin their own business.
“The essence of the Niger Delta Development Bank,” notes Ekere, “would be to curtail the growing youth unemployment in the Niger Delta, especially seeing that after thousands of youths had been trained on businesses by the NDDC, yet most them were still not able to begin their businesses, let alone able to employ others. We want to do things differently, so that we can drive robust development of the Niger Delta region.”
Meanwhile, the NDDC MD has assured youths of the Niger Delta of the commission’s readiness to aid them develop themselves and the oil-rich region.
Ekere, while addressing hundreds of ex-militants, youth leaders and other ex-agitators of the Niger Delta region, said there was urgent need for them to organize themselves into a virile group that would speak for all the youths of the region; instead of the present cacophony of groups speaking for different sections of the oil region.
He said since he assumed office as boss of the NDDC, he had received uncountable phone calls and text messages from various persons claiming to be ‘generals’ of the ex-militants; adding that there was no way the Commission would work with a multiplicity of groups – that such arrangement would not ensure for inclusive development of the region.
He suggested that the ex-agitators should hold meetings among themselves, and come up with a credible group that would negotiate with the Federal Government.
He said the Niger Delta elders have been able to form the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) to speak for all elders of the member-states of the Niger Delta; urging the youths and ex-agitators to do likewise.
On their own, some leaders of the ex-agitators assured that they were ready to ensure peace in the oil region; as they would now guard the oil facilities; but that the Federal Government and the NDDC should do well to fulfil their promises.
They expressed their readiness to work with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to bring about inclusive development of the oil region; though stressed that the President must fulfil his own side of the bargain; else the ongoing peace in the region might be short-lived.
