By George Onah
Port Harcourt – THE Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, plans to establish a state-of-the-art dialysis centre with special bed dedicated for HIV and Hepatitis B patients in the Niger Delta.
Managing Director of the commission Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha disclosed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that the MoU for the hospital would soon be signed and that NDDC was currently equipping and upgrading mother-child healthcare services in three selected hospitals in the region.
Ugwoha who spoke to the press called on investors and development agencies to partner with the NDDC to facilitate more programmes for the people of the Niger Delta said the NDDC cannot fully develop the region alone.
He said the free medical programme of the commission has treated over one million people stating that projects, ranging from roads, bridges to shore protection and hospitals, were part of the commission’s strategy to build both the region and its people.
The CEO of the commission disclosed that over 1000 minor infrastructural projects targeted at addressing various developmental challenges have also been undertaken and are at various stages of completion.
“To us at the commission capital development is not so much about mechanical acquisition of skills as it is about ensuring that whatever skills that is acquired remain relevant to the economy of the region.
That way, the people can become active participants in the booming oil and gas economy of the region and potential exploitation of other natural endowments.”
The NDDC boss said that in the past two years, the commission had provided employment for 2000 youths through its technical aid corps programme and initiated specialised computer training for 2,500 graduates of architecture.
In addition, we also undertook training in accounting and engineering, as well as for 250 youths on various maritime skills at the Nigerian Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
