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N’Delta Development, My Priority -NDDC Boss

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16 years ago

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The managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Chibuzor Ogwuoha has said that the Niger Delta region is in dire need of development and that he was poised to institute structures to positively change in the peoples standard of living.
This was the pledge made by the new NDDC Managing Director at a reception organised in his honour by the Senator representing Rivers west Senatorial district, Senator Wilson Asinobiake at his Apo Legislative quarters’ residence over the weekend in Abuja.
President Yar’Adua inaugurated the NDDC Board at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last Friday, with AirVice Marshall Larry Konya (Rtd) as Chairman and Mr. Ogwuoha as Managing Director.
Konya, from Bayelsa State was a former Chairman of the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) under the defunct General Ibrahim Babangida regime while Ogwuoha who hails from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers was the Community Relations Manager of ELF.
Speaking at the colourful and well-attended reception, Mr. Ogwuoha said his emergence as the Managing Director of NDDC was the handwork of God and ‘not by might, not by power, not by money; while pledging to emulate Jesus Christ in his administration of the Commission.
According to him, “I can draw inspiration from Jesus Christ who washed the disciples’ feet and say leaders should do likewise”, knowing that the task before him is not an easy one.
He called on the people of the Niger-Delta to support him and his team in executing the task before them, noting that it is not his responsibility alone but that of the entire people of the oil rich region.
“If a Leader is leading and the people are not going along with him, he would not achieve much (but) if all of us agree to move, even the greatest mountains, we will pull down”, he said.
Ogwuoha who believes that there can’t be meaningful development in the region in the absence of peace gave the people of the region a charge on the need to keep the peace so that development could thrive in the next four years of his administration of NDDC.
His words: “I believe that all hands (in the region) must be on deck. We must be able to go back to our communities and tell them (that) where there’s no peace, there can’t be development. You need to buy into the programme of development, then what you’re expecting, you will get more than that”.
Noting that Niger Delta is not the worst place on earth, the new NDDC boss recalled that in the past the region recorded giant strides in food production and was self-sufficient, tasked the region to return to agriculture and feed the people as well as emerge as the nation’s food basket, adding, it was known in the past.
“I know it’s going to be an Herculean task, it’s going to be very difficult but one thing is obvious, if all of us agree to do it together, we will get there”, he said.
He continued “I believe very strongly that the Niger Delta of the past fed our people and that Niger Delta shall feed our people again. We are blessed, we can still make Niger Delta the food basket. Let us all begin to think on how to begin to add value to what we have”.
Ogwuoha challenged prominent sons and daughters of Niger Delta, particularly those from Rivers State and Ogbaland in particular to establish factories that could produce things like pure water, tissue and paper in their localities to engender development since “we cannot all be in oil companies”.
The Managing Director further thanked all those who contributed in no small way in making his new status possible, especially Senator Ake, recalling that “the journey was not an easy one, those who are at the corridor of power know all they went through
… if it is money, I will not be standing before you as the Managing Director of NDDC, I know some people who spent money to get this position but they didn’t succeed”.
“It’s time for us to move forward. With your support, we know we’ll get there. It’s not Chibuzor Ogwuoha that is there, (as NDDC MD) all of us are there. I believe with your commitment, there will be development in Niger Delta and Nigeria .. You’ll help me to succeed,” he emphasised.

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FEC Approves Concession Of Port Harcourt lnt’l Airport

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1 week ago

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November 10, 2025

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved the concession of the Port Harcourt International Airport to private investors for more efficient management and improved service delivery.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after the meeting, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Thursday.
Keyamo, however, assured aviation workers that the concession would not result in job losses, stressing that the government remains committed to protecting workers’ rights while pursuing reforms to make the aviation sector more viable.
“We have two major airports now that we have approvals in terms of the business case to begin to finalise with private investors. One of them is the Port Harcourt International Airport. Let me assure the unions that nobody will lose his job as a result of these concessions. I am pro-union, pro-workers, and I will engage them to ensure they are comfortable with the process, Keyamo said.
The Minister noted that the move was part of government’s effort to ensure that airports operate sustainably.
He explained that many airports currently run at a loss, with revenue from Lagos, Abuja, and Kano used to subsidise others.
“Before we came in, Port Harcourt was a no-go area — no investor was interested. But today, because of the activities of this government, it has become the beautiful bride. Over six investors competed to manage the airport,” he said.
Keyamo also listed other aviation-related approvals secured from FEC, including contracts for the maintenance and support services for airport management solutions across Nigeria’s five international airports; Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu, as well as the procurement and installation of advanced tertiary power systems and navigational aids.
Additionally, the Council approved the purchase of 15 airport rescue and firefighting vehicles to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and the construction of a permanent headquarters for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja.
Another significant approval was the exclusion of all Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) residential properties within and around airports from sale to private individuals, a move aimed at preserving operational safety and security within airport environments.
FEC also approved the concession of biometric verification systems at airports to integrate passengers’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) into boarding processes, enhance aviation security, and curb the use of fake identities.
Keyamo said the ministry also secured approvals for contracts under its 2024 budget to improve lighting systems at airports, enabling night operations and helping local airlines increase passenger capacity and revenue.
“These reforms are designed to make our airports safer, more efficient, and commercially sustainable. We are bringing them to global standards,” the minister affirmed.
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Senate Orders NAFDAC To Ban Sachet Alcohol Production by December 2025 ………Lawmakers Warn of Health Crisis, Youth Addiction And Social Disorder From Cheap Liquor

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1 week ago

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November 10, 2025

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The Senate has issued a decisive order to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), directing it to enforce a total ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small plastic bottles by December 2025, warning that no further extension of the deadline will be tolerated.

The upper chamber’s resolution followed an exhaustive debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), during its sitting, last Thursday.

Ekpenyong who raised the alarm over NAFDAC’s repeated extensions of the phase-out date, despite the grave health and social risks posed by sachet-packaged alcohol reminded the Senate that NAFDAC had initially fixed 2023 as the deadline before shifting it to 2024, and later to 2025, a pattern he said had emboldened manufacturers to lobby for further delays.

He warned that another extension would amount to a betrayal of public trust and a violation of Nigeria’s commitment to global health standards.

Ekpenyong said, “The harmful practice of putting alcohol in sachets makes it as easy to consume as sweets, even for children.

“It promotes addiction, impairs cognitive and psychomotor development and contributes to domestic violence, road accidents and other social vices.”

“Some responsible manufacturers have already complied in good faith. But they are now suffering unfair competition from those who continue to produce and sell non-compliant products. This is both unethical and dangerous.”
The motion drew wide bipartisan support, with lawmakers condemning the proliferation of cheap, high-alcohol-content drinks sold in small sachets, describing them as “silent poisons” targeted at vulnerable Nigerians.

Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) said sachet-packaged alcohol had become a menace in communities and schools.

“These drinks are cheap, potent and easily accessible to minors. Every day we delay this ban, we endanger our children and destroy more futures,” he said.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, ruled in favour of the motion after what he described as a “sober and urgent debate”.

Akpabio said “Any motion that concerns saving lives is urgent. If we don’t stop this extension, more Nigerians, especially the youth, will continue to be harmed. The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has spoken: by December 2025, sachet alcohol must become history.”

closing remarks, Akpabio commended senators for taking what he described as a “historic and moral stand” to protect Nigerians from a “slow-killing culture”.

According to him, “This is not just about alcohol regulation. It is about safeguarding the mental and physical health of our people, protecting our children, and preserving the future of this nation.

“We cannot allow sachet alcohol to keep destroying lives under the guise of business.”

closing remarks, Akpabio commended senators for taking what he described as a “historic and moral stand” to protect Nigerians from a “slow-killing culture”.

According to him, “This is not just about alcohol regulation. It is about safeguarding the mental and physical health of our people, protecting our children, and preserving the future of this nation.

“We cannot allow sachet alcohol to keep destroying lives under the guise of business.”

“The Senate has spoken clearly. The time for excuses is over. Let this harmful practice end, for the health, safety and sanity of our nation
With this resolution, the Senate has effectively placed NAFDAC and allied agencies under legislative mandate to ensure that by December 2025, sachet and small-volume alcoholic drinks are completely phased out across Nigeria, with no further extensions permitted.

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PHCCIMA Leadership Hails Rivers Commerce Commissioner for Boosting Business Ties …..Urges Deeper Collaboration to Ignite Economic Growth

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1 week ago

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November 10, 2025

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In a show of solidarity for Rivers State’s economic revival, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwogu, has joined past presidents and executive council members in commending Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo  Joe Johnson, for his proactive engagement with the private sector.
The commendations came during a courtesy visit by Johnson to PHCCIMA’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, where he underscored the critical need for public-private partnerships to transform the state into a vibrant commerce hub.
“The Chamber plays a pivotal role in driving business growth here in Rivers State,” Mr. Johnson remarked, extending thanks for the warm welcome, indicating that this was his first outing as Commissioner for Commerce.
He called for intensified collaboration on trade missions, investment drives, and business facilitation, while outlining government initiatives to attract investors and expand industrial opportunities.
Johnson expressed optimism about future engagements, pledging to return for deeper discussions with Dr. Nwoga and her team.
He further highlighted ongoing efforts to lure investors, emphasizing that retaining them requires a supportive ecosystem built through joint action.
Responding, Dr. Nwoga assured the commissioner of PHCCIMA’s unwavering support saying “We stand ready to partner fully in trade promotion, easing the business environment, and empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs)”.
She reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to aligning with the Ministry’s vision.
While noting that this is the 1st time that a Commissioner of Commerce has visited the Chamber for interactions, Chinyere thanked the Rivers State Governor,  H E Siminalayi Fubara for his commitment to growing commerce  through collaboration with PHCCIMA.
The meeting drew broad support from PHCCIMA’s leadership. Past President Dr. Engr. Vincent Furo lauded the visit as a positive step, pledging the Chamber’s backing for government-led commerce initiatives. Chief Nabil Saleh, another past president, stressed the importance of investor confidence, urging assurances that new investments would be nurtured and sustained in the state.
Dr. Emeka Unachukwu, who is also a past president, echoed the call for an enabling environment to draw and retain capital.
Exco members present at the visit included – 1st Deputy President, Chf Isaac Wonwu,  Financial Secretary, Chf Emmanuel Ogbonda,  Welfare Secretary, Amb. Florence Igbeaku Nwosibe, who  lent their voices to the call for collaboration with PHCCIMA.
Also present were elected Council Member, Engr. Dr. Virgilus Ezugu,  SME/NGO Trade Group Chairman, Jack Daboikiabo, Ms.  Tariboba Memberr, Chairperson of PHCCIMA’s Inter-Governmental Relations Committee, Ms Patricia Ihunze, Deputy Coordinator of the Women Chambers (WCCIMA), and  Mr. Victor, Chairman of PHCCIMA member company Einfotech, each of whom expressed the desire of the Chamber to be recognized as a hub for commerce.
In closing, Dr. Nwoga reiterated PHCCIMA’s dedication to advancing commerce and industry for the state’s prosperity, and the readinessof the PHCCIMA to be dependable ally in growing the economy of Rivers State.
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