The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday said it has adopted the Chamber of Commerce template to drive economic development of the region

The NDDC said it adopted the template a bid to proffer lasting solutions to challenges plaguing businesses in the in the region by providing structured business financing to entrepreneurs.

Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of NDDC spoke at a sensitisation workshop on the Niger Delta Chambers Of Commerce,Industry,Trade,Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) in Yenagoa.

Ogbuku urged business owners in Bayelsa to take advantage of the capacity development, financial facilities and other opportunities presented to them through the NDCCITMA.

Ogbuku said NDDC established NDCCITMA, across the nine states of the region to drive entrepreneurship while emphasising the boards commitment in ensuring development is brought to Niger Delta through genuine processes of economic empowerment.

According to him,the chamber would stand in the gap between
NDDC and the regional business community, to assist innovators ,entrepreneurs, and struggling businesses to advance their aspirations by providing modalities to help them through the stringent conditions of financial institutions.

Ogbuku, who spoke through Sen. Elder Dumaro, member representing Bayelsa on the governorning board of NDDC, urged all contractors and intending contractors working with NDDC to register with the Chambers as a prerequisite for doing business with commission.

According to him, the activities of the chamber will equally enhance food security, manufacturing, skills development, blue economy and job creation for the youths.

Mr Victor Antai,NDDC’s Executive Director Project noted that the commission has entered into strategic partnership with the Chambers to bridge a business gap and revive nano and micro-level business that are almost nonexistent now.

The executive director explained that NDCCITMA’s members of the Board of Directors had been meticulously selected from across the nine states of the region.

Antai called on startups and individuals with business ideas to take advantage of the opportunity to seek valuable business counsel from the chamber.

Earlier,the chairman of NDCCITMA, Amb. Idaere Gogo Ogan,represented by Dr Solomon Edebiri remarked that the people of the Niger Delta had long desired a regional body to coordinate businesses in the area and commended the leadership of the NDDC for its foresight in promoting the Chamber of Commerce, noting that NDCCITMA would work as development partner with the Commission.

He explained that the chamber would provide essential guidance to entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish business in the Niger Delta.

Also speaking, Chief James Neminebor, President Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce (YECCIMA) enjoined the chamber to collaborate with the state Chambers of Commerce and work with its already existing elaborate structure.

The programme had in attendance some local government chairman from Bayelsa state, leadership of NDDC and NDCCITMA amongst others.