RSSDA Plans Economic Development Centre

The Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) is partnering with the Foundation
for partnership in the Niger Delta (PIND) to establish an Economic development
centre in the state.

The
Executive Director of the agency, Mr. Noble Pepple said this Wednesday in Port
Harcourt why declaring open a two-day forum on the Niger delta organised by the
Agency in collaboration with the Foundation for Partnership in the Niger Delta
(PIND).

Mr.
Pepple said that the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) needs
the support of the Civil society and the organised private sector to tackle the
huge challenges presented by poverty in the state.

He
said that the Forum which has the theme: “supporting poverty reduction through
partnership” will enable key stakeholders in the region to work out ways of
tackling the incident of poverty in the region.

Also
speaking, the project Coordinator, Foundation for partnership in the Niger
Delta (PIND), Dr. Dennis Fleming listed strategies that can lead to reduction
of poverty in the region to include; access to finances by the people,
development of Agriculture as well as ensuring that the poor have access to
marketing opportunities.

Dr.
Fleming said that, governments in the region should work out modalities to
ensuring that rural people are regularly informed of available opportunities
interms of market facilities building institutions as well as peace in the
region.

He
however added that tackling poverty in the Niger Delta requires the
collaborative efforts of government, organised private sector and civil society
organisations.

In
his paper entitled “case study on Application of Market Development Approaches,
for poverty Reduction” the Manager, Economic Development centre, PIND, Dr. Dara
Akala stressed the need for the development of Aquaculture  Industry in the Niger Delta and an inclusive
market system that would guarantee the rural poor the opportunity to market
their produce.

Dr.
Dara argued that market development approach need serious attention to ensure
that produce from the Niger Delta compete effectively with produce from other
parts of the country.

He
also stressed the need for governments in the region to workout modalities
towards equitable distribution of income in the region.

The seminar was attended by stakeholders from all walks of
life in the region.