By Kolawole Ojebisi
The United Arab Emirates has signalled interest in collaborating with the Niger Delta Development Commission in enhancing life-transforming projects being executed by the commission.
Towards this end, the UAE has agreed to set up a joint committee, together with the NDDC, to map out a partnership framework to support these projects in the Niger Delta Region.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al-Shamsi, and a delegation from the NDDC, led by the Managing Dr Samuel Ogbuku, at the UAE Embassy in Abuja .
The NDDC team included the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and other Directors of the Commission.T
he issues discussed in the meeting are contained in a statement issued by the Director of Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama on Thursday and sent to newsmen.
According to the statement, Al-Shamsi expressed his willingness to collaborate with the NDDC on key areas whose development will be of joint massive benefits to the people of Niger Delta region.
This includes Information Communication Technology, ICT, education, health, agriculture, and youth development.
He endorsed the suggestion for a joint team to develop areas of collaboration between the UAE and NDDC.
The UAE envoy commended the NDDC for its development initiatives and said his country was willing to collaborate and support the Commission in executing more development projects.
“We are happy with this visit and the opportunity it has given us to explore areas of cooperation and support. We appreciate the robust relationship between UAE and Nigeria.” the statement quoted Al-Shamsi to have said.
The Ambassador expressed satisfaction that his country had normalised its relationship with Nigeria, stating that the national carrier of the UAE, Emirates Airline, had resumed operations between Lagos and Dubai.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer briefed the Ambassador and his team on what the Commission was doing and the achievements it had recorded so far. He specifically asked for collaboration in NDDC Health intervention in the Niger Delta, urging the UAE to assist in equipping the Commission’s Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Ogbuku said, “As part of our commitment to expanding the frontier of the NDDC’s Public Private Partnership, PPP, I welcome the opportunity to meet with UAE officials to foster collaboration in health, education, as well as oil and gas.”
