The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced the allocation of ₦30 billion to support Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector across the region, through the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, during a world press briefing held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Monday.
The event was part of activities marking the Commission’s 25th anniversary.
Ogbuku explained that the fund is aimed at strengthening agriculture in the Niger Delta by providing financial support to entrepreneurs, through a structured and transparent process managed by the chamber of commerce.
He said the commission has already released an initial ₦5 billion from the ₦30 billion provision.
“This funding is part of our commitment to drive economic development and reduce dependency on crude oil,” the NDDC boss stated.
“We chose to work with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement process.”
He noted that interested beneficiaries must register with the chamber of commerce and undergo proper accreditation, adding that the commission no longer operates through informal slot allocations.
“Today, no one comes to the NDDC asking for slots to access funds. You must be a registered and accredited member of the chamber. This structure helps us eliminate political interference and favoritism,” he said.
Ogbuku added that the renewed agricultural drive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to prioritize food security and economic empowerment in the region.
He disclosed plans to convene a retreat involving commissioners of agriculture from all nine Niger Delta states to develop a coordinated regional roadmap for agriculture.
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The NDDC chief executive said that after the retreat, the commission will organize an agricultural summit to craft a master plan focusing on regional strengths in rice, cassava, and palm oil production, with an emphasis on agro-industrialization.
“As a region, we can’t control oil prices, but we can control what we produce on our land,” Ogbuku said.
“Agriculture remains our most accessible and sustainable path to wealth creation, peace, and development.”
He also addressed environmental challenges facing agriculture in the Niger Delta, citing the effects of gas flaring, acid rain, and artisanal oil refining, which have significantly degraded farmland and mangrove forests.
The NDDC, he said, is in consultation with relevant agencies to tackle these threats holistically.
The commission’s anniversary celebrations continues this week with series of events aimed at reflecting on two and a half decades of intervention in the Niger Delta and unveiling new development strategies.
