By Obiabin Onukwugha
The United Arab Emirates, UAE, and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, have agreed to set up a joint committee to develop a partnership framework that will support development projects and programmes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
This followed a meeting between the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al-Shamsi, and a delegation from the NDDC, led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, at the UAE Embassy in Abuja.
During the meeting, Al-Shamsi expressed the UAE’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC on Information Communication Technology, ICT, education, health, agriculture and youth development. He also endorsed the suggestion for a joint team to develop areas of collaboration between the UAE and NDDC.
The UAE envoy, who commended the NDDC for its development initiatives, informed that his country was willing to collaborate and support the Commission in executing more development projects in the region.
The envoy stated: “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.”
Al-Shamsi also expressed satisfaction that his country had normalised its relationship with Nigeria, informing that the national carrier of the UAE, Emirates Airline, has resumed operations between Lagos and Dubai.
Earlier, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer, requested for collaboration and assistance from the UAE government on the NDDC Health intervention across the Niger Delta, especially in equipping the Commission’s Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“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,” Ogboku stated.
He expressed optimism that the newly forged relationship with the UAE will yield positive impact for the region.
According to a statement by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs,
Seledi Thompson-Wakama, 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.