Partnership between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ibom Air of Akwa Ibom State may lead to emergence of a regional aviation power in the Niger Delta.
It could help to boost the aircraft fleet in Ibom Air and maybe other emerging airlines in the oil region and help air patronage in travel and hire services, thus creating a strong hub in aviation in the region like in Lagos.
This as Samuel Ogbuku, managing director of the NDDC, has urged fleeing businesses and investments to head back to the oil region. He has also called on indigenes of the region to think of investing in the region first, regretting that the trend on ground is investing outside the region.
On collaboration, the NDDC re-emphasised the importance of strategic collaborations through the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangement to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku stated this during a meeting with the management of Ibom Air led by George Uriesi, the Chief Executive Officer, at their headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ogbuku led a delegation that included Victor Antai, the Executive Director (Projects), Ifedayo Abegunde, Executive Director (Corporate Services), Abasiandikan Nkono, the Akwa Ibom State Representative on the NDDC board, and other directors of the Commission.
The NDDC boss observed that the engagement was part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening PPPs that pave the way for landmark infrastructure projects and boost investor confidence.
He stressed that collaboration would expedite the growth and development of the Niger Delta region, noting that the NDDC was partnering with the Delta State Government and Chevron Nigeria Limited on the 70.75 km Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Ogbuku recalled that the partnership between the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and the NDDC facilitated the construction of the 25.7 km Ogbia-Nembe Road.
He added that the Commission was currently collaborating with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on the construction of the Okrika-Borikiri Road and bridges project, the Kaa-Ataba Road and Bridge, and the Bonny Ring Road
