The Niger Delta Develop
ment Commission (NDDC), has tasked women to take up the role of maintaining peace and stability in the oil-rich region.
Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia, who gave this charge during a one-day sensitisation workshop with the theme: ‘Women as ambassadors of peace and development in the Niger Delta region’, said women have the capacity to drive sustainable socio-economic development of the region.
Dan-Abia, who was represented at the workshop held in Calabar by the Cross River State representative in the NDDC board, Mr. Paul Adah, said women are key stakeholders in sustaining the peace in the region.
He said, “NDDC sees women as major stakeholders with great potentials of not just creating but sustaining the much needed peace for the development of the Niger Delta.
“The commission is determined to strengthen the capacity of women to create wealth and promote peace, thereby creating a conducive and secure atmosphere for the development of the region.”
He said before now, the commission had worked with women in the region and conducted awareness campaign on breast and cervical cancer.
Dan-Abia also disclosed that the commission had also facilitated partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company to empower 2000 rural women and young girls with various skills.
“We intend to carry out awareness campaign to discourage child trafficking and violence against women and further equip them with other skills through career and entrepreneurial fairs,” he assured.
In his address, the Cross River State representative in the board, said without peace it would be impossible for the region to produce oil, adding that this would have adverse effect on the people and the country’s economy.
Adah commended Governor Liyel Imoke for ensuring peace in Cross River State through various initiatives.
He said, “Cross River is a model state because Governor Liyel Imoke has consistently worked for peace through various outreach and programmes with a view to sensitising and empowering women to perform this role effectively, peace is the panacea for growth and development of any society.”
Also speaking after the workshop, the state Director of NDDC, Mr. Frank Isaiah, said the workshop was organised because the commission had recognised that women were an integral agent for the sustenance of peace in the region.
He disclosed that over 100 women benefited from the sensitization workshop, assuring that the participants would  further pass on the campaign in the rural areas.

Youth President of Kpean Association, Mr. Petaba Donalolson (right) decorating Menebua Kenwigbana III, HRH Mene Barile D. Yornah with wrapper during the funeral service in honour of Late Elder Ezekiel Deebom Yornah, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga