In a significant move to foster economic development in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has embraced the Chambers of Commerce template as a tool to transform local business dynamics.
This innovative approach was announced by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC’s Managing Director, during a sensitization workshop on the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA), held on Tuesday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
Dr. Ogbuku emphasized that the commission’s adoption of this model is a strategic response to the long-standing challenges faced by businesses in the region.
By integrating the Chambers of Commerce framework, NDDC seeks to provide structured financial support and capacity-building opportunities to entrepreneurs, thereby fostering sustainable economic empowerment.
Ogbuku highlighted that NDCCITMA would serve as a crucial intermediary between NDDC and the local business community, offering a pathway to overcoming the financial barriers that often hinder business growth in the Niger Delta.
He urged entrepreneurs and business owners in Bayelsa to seize the opportunities for skill development, access to financial resources, and networking that NDCCITMA would provide.
“This chamber will be instrumental in addressing the financial challenges faced by businesses in the Niger Delta. It will offer solutions that help entrepreneurs navigate the stringent conditions imposed by financial institutions,” Ogbuku said, through a representative, Sen. Elder Dumaro, a member of NDDC’s governing board.
The newly established chamber will also play a pivotal role in supporting regional development by enhancing food security, promoting manufacturing, and fostering the blue economy.
Job creation for the region’s youth is another key objective, with NDDC positioning the chamber as a catalyst for revitalizing struggling businesses and stimulating new ventures.
NDDC’s Executive Director of Project, Mr. Victor Antai, reinforced this vision, stating that the commission’s partnership with NDCCITMA aims to bridge existing business gaps and rejuvenate nano and micro-businesses that are critical to the local economy but have struggled in recent years. Antai stressed the importance of this partnership, calling on local startups and innovators to leverage the chamber’s expertise and resources.
Antai also noted that the NDCCITMA board is comprised of carefully selected representatives from the nine states of the Niger Delta, ensuring a regional focus and a cohesive strategy to advance entrepreneurship across the zone.
Ambassador Idaere Ogan, Chairman of NDCCITMA, lauded NDDC’s leadership for their foresight in establishing the chamber, which he described as a long-awaited solution for regional business coordination.
Ogan, represented by Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said NDCCITMA would act as a development partner to NDDC, offering critical support and guidance to entrepreneurs and investors eager to explore business opportunities in the region.
Furthermore, Chief James Neminebor, President of the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce (YECCIMA), encouraged collaboration between NDCCITMA and local state chambers to ensure that the chamber’s efforts are aligned with existing structures, ultimately enhancing its impact on the regional economy.
The workshop drew participation from a host of dignitaries, including local government officials from Bayelsa, leadership from NDDC, and representatives from NDCCITMA, highlighting the broad support for this new initiative aimed at unlocking the business potential of the Niger Delta region.