The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have agreed to establish a joint committee to develop a partnership framework.
This is contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
It highlighted UAE’s willingness to collaborate with NDDC on a variety of initiatives, adding that the framework aimed at advancing project and programme execution in the Niger Delta region.
Thompson-Wakama said the decision follows a meeting between the UAE’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al-Shamsi, and an NDDC delegation led by its Managing Director, Dr Samual Ogbuku, in Abuja.
He quoted Al-Shamsi as saying that the UAE was open to working with NDDC in areas such as Information Communication Technology (ICT), education, health, agriculture, and youth development.
“We are eager to collaborate with NDDC in these sectors and have agreed to establish a joint team to identify and develop areas of cooperation between UAE and NDDC,” he stated.
He expressed satisfaction with the renewed bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UAE, especially with the resumption of Emirates Airline flights between Lagos and Dubai, which had recently resumed after disruptions.
The envoy also lauded NDDC for its development efforts in the Niger Delta and affirmed the UAE’s readiness to support the commission in accelerating the region’s development, Thompson-Wakama said.
During the meeting, Ogbuku briefed the UAE delegation on the NDDC’s achievements and current initiatives.
He specifically called on the UAE to assist in equipping the NDDC’s Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopaedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UAE officials in the areas of health, education, and the oil and gas sector.
“The NDDC board and management are fully committed to broadening the scope of the commission’s Public Private Partnerships,” Ogbuku said.
Ogbuku expressed the hope that the new partnership between both institutions would bring significant positive changes to the Niger Delta region.
The statement said NDDC delegation included the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, and other senior directors of the commission. (NAN)
