The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will build and equip women development centres in nine states of the Niger Delta region as part of its efforts to empower women economically.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, made this known in a statement issued by the commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ibitoye Abosede in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
Ekere said this when members of the Forum of Niger Delta Women (FNDW) visited the commission adding that the commission would work closely with the Forum to provide women with training programmes in agriculture, among others.
”The training will come with starter packs and seed capital to ensure its sustainability aimed at developing the capacity of women in the region.
”We are only concerned with the behaviour of some trainees who sell their starter-packs which reverses the gains of the programme,” he said.
According to Ekere, women are drivers of the economy and have played important roles in the development of the country since independence.
”Women are drivers of the society as well as shape the thinking of society and order the ways of the youth.
”This is because, mothers have great influence on a child, and as such, whoever jokes with women will have him or herself to blame,” he said.
Ekere urged the Forum to sensitise younger women on the need to avoid violence and criminality that were inimical to the progress of the country.
The managing director said that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the development of the Niger Delta, and as such, deserved support of women in the region.
Earlier,  the Coordinator of FNDW Mrs Maureen Tamuno, said the forum was prepared to work with NDDC to develop the region.
She commended the commission’s governing board and management over formulation and implementation of policies that sought to improve lives of the people.
”We observed with pleasure the commission’s desire to bring about development and readiness to engage women and youths to curb restiveness in the society,”s he said.