The United States Government has expressed its willingness to partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the development of the Niger Delta region.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley, made this known when he led top US government diplomats to NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.????????????????????????????????????????
He said Nigeria and particularly the Niger Delta region, was of critical importance to achieving the United States Government’s strategic policies on the sub-Saharan and African continent.
?“This is a critical important region for Nigeria and for the United States which considers Nigeria to be its most important strategic partner on the African continent”
“Obviously the Niger Delta is one of the most significant regions and the most important country in sub-Saharan Africa.
“The United States considers its self to be a strong development partner. From our perspective we are looking at how we can successfully intervene in the Niger Delta.
“Where and what sectors we should be intervening in. What appropriate partners we might be able to find.”
According to McCulley, the US government is ready to partner stakeholders to develop the Niger Delta and also add value to the already established development master plan of the region.
The US Ambassador said the international community could not afford to ignore Nigeria and the Niger Delta region due to its enormous human and natural resources and a key player in the global economy.
He said diversifying the economy through the development of the agriculture sector would create jobs for youths and reduce poverty in Nigeria and the Niger Delta region.
Responding, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Christian Oboh, said the commission was vigorously pursuing its policies on human and infrastructural development.
Oboh said the commission would soon award 66 mega projects and build nine specialist hospitals in the region.
“In a matter of months we are going to be awarding 66 mega projects in the region and also intend to revive our health sector.
“We have a pilot scheme where we want to build nine specialist hospitals in three states of the Niger Delta region.
“The reason why we are doing this is to ensure that we reverse the outflow of Nigerians who seek medical treatment abroad.”
The NDDC boss appealed for intervention funds and technical assistance in training and capacity building for youths in the region
“We believe that the US government will partner directly with the Niger Delta Development Commission in terms of ensuring that we have some donor funds”
“So we are open in areas of partnership, project development, in the training of our youths and capacity building.”?
?
?
?