Aaior K. Comfort
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to establish a joint committee aimed at fostering partnerships to support development initiatives in the Niger Delta region. This decision was reached during a meeting between the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al-Shamsi, and a delegation from the NDDC, led by the commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, at the UAE Embassy in Abuja.
The NDDC delegation also included key officials such as Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, the Executive Director of Corporate Services, and other directors. The meeting was detailed in a statement issued by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Ambassador Al-Shamsi expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the NDDC in areas such as Information Communication Technology (ICT), education, health, agriculture, and youth development. He endorsed the creation of a joint team to identify and develop areas of cooperation between the UAE and NDDC.
“We are happy with this visit and the opportunity it has given us to explore areas of cooperation and support. We appreciate the robust relationship between the UAE and Nigeria,” Al-Shamsi stated. He also praised the NDDC’s developmental efforts and expressed the UAE’s willingness to assist the commission in executing more projects in the Niger Delta.
Additionally, the ambassador noted that the UAE’s relationship with Nigeria had recently returned to normalcy, with the resumption of Emirates Airline operations between Lagos and Dubai, which further strengthened bilateral ties.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC’s Managing Director, briefed the UAE officials on the commission’s achievements and called for UAE support in the NDDC’s health interventions. He specifically requested assistance in equipping the Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Ogbuku also emphasized the NDDC’s commitment to expanding its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, stating, “I welcome the opportunity to meet with UAE officials to foster collaboration in health, education, as well as oil and gas.”
The newly established partnership is expected to bring significant benefits to the Niger Delta region, with both parties looking forward to implementing impactful development projects in health, education, and other key sectors.