Coalition urges NDDC to establish micro-credit schemes

By Uyoatta Eshiet

A coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to institute micro-credit schemes.

The collation, Niger Delta Network Advancement Program (NDNAP), in a statement  in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, advocated for the initiation of some palliative measures including grants for Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMSEs) to calm the frayed nerves of youths.
The statement signed by NDNAP President, Al mustapher Emem Edoho and Jubril Uwem Edukere, Board of Trustees (BoT) member, commended the Commission under the Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan Abia, noting that his time has witnessed strategic interventions with positive impacts in the region.
Edoho, who disclosed that the NDDC under Abia’s watch has effectively complemented the Federal Government’s development agenda for the region, said the decision of the group to give the Commission a pass mark was a fallout of what he called “reality check” embarked upon by the group in recent times.
During the inspection, the group, according to Edoho, took inventory of Abia’s performance, noting that “within this short time as the Commission’s Managing Director, the NDDC has gotten a befitting 12-storey building that will serve as the permanent headquarters since it was established in 2000″.
“The people of Niger Delta will be proud of the building which is awaiting commissioning by Mr. President”, he added.
Besides, he pointed out that the Commission, in spite challenges of funding, has intervened in roads, bridges, hostels facilities in tertiary institutions, scholarship grants for indigent students and youths’ empowerment to address the restiveness of youths in the region.
“We call on NDDC to initiate micro, small and medium enterprise grants or loans to further stimulate the economic development of the region and accelerate poverty reduction,” he said.

Culled from The Nation newspaper