Following the establishment of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku, has addressed the fears that the initiative will press down on other similar initiatives.
Ogbuku while addressing entrepreneurs, business owners and youths across Cross River State in Calabar on Friday, 11th October, during one of the nine workshops to sensitising the Niger Delta region on the establishment of the Chambers of Commerce, stated the initiative will complement other programmes like Project HOPE and IFAD.
The MD/CEO who was represented by Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, Commissioner Representing Cross River State at the NDDC board, said the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce was conceived in the midst of an intense need to grow business and commerce in the region, stressing that its establishment is a veritable tool for development that will encompass the involvement of the very informal sector, artisanal groups, micro, small, medium and right up to mega-scale businesses.
“Our intention is to have NDCCITMA stand in the gap between NDDC and entrepreneurs to provide the long-sought support to sustain the business of those who cannot meet the stringent conditions of financial institutions.
“The Commission has entered into a strategic collaboration with NDCCITMA which has been sealed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). With this, NDDC is committed to working very closely with Chambers of Commerce to design a pathway to prosperity for its people. The successful establishment of the Chambers of Commerce will complement the ongoing Project HOPE and IFAD programmes. The Commission has carefully engineered these programmes to positively affect the lives of the people of the region.
“Under the strategic partnership, there will be serious relief for the people of the Niger Delta region that are involved in entrepreneurship. The activities of the Chambers will positively influence the development of a robust transport system, manufacturing, merchandising, mining, marine and food security for our families. Here we intend to work with the people and bring down the cost of food to affordable levels in order to improve the health of our people, he said.
He further stated “The partnership will establish a well-structured internship placement system that guarantees placement for our young graduates when they leave school; this strategy will help us fight the unemployment epidemic and restore hope to our people. We look forward to working with NDCCITMA to design industry-friendly skill development programmes that will take into cognisance training and re-training programmes through various models, including apprenticeship.
“We urge the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, formal and informal business communities and individuals that require financial support for their businesses either as start-ups or for upgrade, to register with the Chambers as it will be a one-stop shop for business support in the Niger Delta. I would also like to encourage all chambers of commerce within the region to work closely with NDCCITMA so that collectively, we can grow the economy of the region.”
He also stated “Henceforth, as a means to encourage participation in the activities of the Chambers of Commerce and benefit from its prospects, every contractor working with NDDC or intends to work with NDDC should register with the Chambers as such certificate will become a pre-requisite for doing business with the commission.
“Finally, let me emphasise that the vision behind the establishment of the Chambers is in line with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at enabling an assured future for the people of this Country.”
Remarking, Amb. Idaere Gogo Ogan, Chairman of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, said the people of the Niger Delta region have longed for a forum where they can seek genuine guidance and assistance in developing their businesses and scaling up capabilities.
According to Ogan, “The Chambers of Commerce has really looked at the people of the region and their pre-occupation and has carefully addressed their business needs in the objective which has been carefully spelt out in the programme brochure.
“As the pioneer chairman of NDCCITMA, working with my board of directors, I am committed to abide by the MoU established between the NDDC and the Chambers of Commerce. Our mission is to invigorate trade and commerce development right from the nano business level through the micro, small and medium enterprises to the large organisations.
“We are poised to work with our development partners, the NDDC, to solve the good problems of the region, enable manufacturing of goods, develop skills and build capacity within the region. Therefore, we would like to invite all chambers of commerce in the region, business communities, professional associations, government entities and industries to be prepared to work closely with us for the accelerated development of the region and secure the economic prosperity of our people.”
In his address, Hon. Sir Victor Antai, NDDC’s Executive Director on Project, said the Chambers of Commerce is an initiative to revolutionise the Niger Delta region, adding that the sensitisation is being held across the nine Niger Delta states of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, Abia and Imo respectively.
On her part, Hon. (Mrs) Abigail Duke Orok, Commissioner for Commerce in Cross River State, lauded the initiative, promising to provide the support the Chambers need to foster development in the state.
Orok, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said, “I am happy that this is happening in your time. Our daybreak for the Niger Delta region is dawn. It has not been easy for businesses to thrive in the state but NDCCITMA has come to address that.
“We’re happy to welcome you to the State. We’ll create an enabling environment for you. The Cross River State Government in collaboration with the Calabar Chambers of Commerce and Ikom Chambers of Commerce, we are having the Calabar Trade Fair, and we’re calling on the NDDC and the NDCCITMA to join us.”
Chief (Dr) Solomon Edebiri, the contractor for the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, gave a rundown on the concept, benefits and objectives of the initiative while Tobore Olumoye delivered an abstract on “Enhancing the Economic Viability of the Niger Delta People through Collaboration with the Chambers of Commerce.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Cross River State Ministry of Sports, Calabar Chambers of Commerce, Bank of Industry, Cross River State Ministry of Industry, and several others.
The participants of the workshop were engaged in several ways, including creating a network, acquiring skills, collaborating, etc.
CONVERSEER (https://converseer.com) reports that the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) was registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 1st November 2023.