Collaboration and regional development strategy has been described as the surest way to move Niger Delta Region from resources to an industrial hub.
A renowned banker, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede who made this known as the keynote Speaker at Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit in Port Harcourt Rivers State, called for institutions and platforms that would transform resources into production ventures.
With the theme, Driving Investment, Innovation and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit 2026 put up by Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, provided a platform for integration between government and private sector, to explore avenues of investment and Economic growth in the region.
The keynote Speaker at the event, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede insisted that the region was in need of a Regional Developmental compact, where the private sector and Government would work together.
Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede who proposed a vision twenty fifty economic development plan,
emphasized the need for a coherent regional economy, where natural and human resources were harnessed for production.
He decried the inability of the region to convert her resources to production and industrial hubs.
According to him, it was lnecessary to set up regional platforms that integrate the region into common developmental objectives.
He told the people that there are global development partners willing to invest but needed a platform with required capacity to drive the vision.
The resource person explained that investment in human capacity development would be the pointer to the future economic growth of Niger Delta.
The keynote Speaker emphasized community development and empowerment to create peace and an enabling environment for development.
In the same vein, Chairman board of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who acknowledged the importance of
partnership among stakeholders to facilitate speedy development, said it was necessary for all the Governors of the region to buy the idea of Regional collaboration.
On his part, Managing Director NDDC Dr. Samuel Ogbuku stressed the need to form a Niger Delta Think Tank Team to midwife economic growth of the region.
The MD maintained that the main resources of the region were the people, human resources, hence, the need to build capacity among the people in various sectors of the economy.
The NDDC Boss stated that NDCCITMA was bringing to bear the vision of NDDC to grow businesses in the region, with an initial take off fund of five billion naira.
DR. OGBUKU who expressed happiness that the loan from the Chamber of Commerce was devoid of politics explained that beneficiaries needed to register with the chamber to qualify for the single digit low interest loan.
He insisted that it was necessary for the people of the region to collaborate to industrialize the region.
Dr. Ogbuku stated that with collaboration, States in the region can build power stations, rail lines and regional roads to aid development.
The MD regretted what he called Capital flights, where international companies benefited from the region without creating opportunities for employment.
In his address, Chairman of NDCCITMA Idaere Ogan told the people that the summit was put up to chart a new course in the investment opportunities in Niger Delta Region.
The Chairman revealed that NDCCITMA was planning an Agriculture hub, which would lead from farm to production in the region.
Idaere Ogan who noted that the region was blessed with potentials that can compete at the global stage in economic growth, declared that Niger Delta was ripe for investment.
He stated that over four thousand persons from the region have benefited from NDCCITMA single digit loan scheme to facilitate business growth in Niger Delta.
In a virtual presentation, Director General, World Trade Organization, WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, who statically proved that the region was deficient in different aspects of human welfare, challenged stakeholders to exploit both agriculture and the blue economy to change the narrative.
There were also goodwill messages from Governors of NDDC Mandate States who were represented, pledging their support.
The key take away from the speeches is that , it is time for action .