Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has expressed hope that the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines & Agriculture (NDCCITMA) will facilitate the transformation of the economy of the region.

He said this on Wednesday in Uyo during a one-day sensitisation of the people of the state on the Establishment of NDCCITMA.

Mr Eno, represented by the commissioner for trade and investment, John Etim, said that the region had been wrongly portrayed as a mono-economy, in spite of its huge resources.

“For too long, the Niger Delta has been erroneously portrayed as a mono-economy, which boasts only of crude oil deposits with negative fallout, such as environmental degradation, and ravaging poverty, among others, but our region is much more than that.

“We are blessed with abundant human and mineral resources far beyond crude oil.

“In fact, we are the major producers of oil palm and other cash crops in this country.

“The region can be both self-sufficient and a net exporter of palm oil and many other food items.

“The NDCCITMA initiative is not only desirable but imperative for the speedy transformation of our region,” Mr Eno said.

He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for seeking the synergy for the implementation of the initiative for the betterment of the people.

In a remark, the managing director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the objective of NDCCITMA is to stand in the gap between NDDC and entrepreneurs in the region.

He further said that the chambers would provide the long-sought support to sustain the businesses of those who cannot meet the stringent conditions of financial institutions.

Mr Ogbuku, represented by the state representative on the board of NDDC, Abasiandikan Nkono, said that the activities of the chambers would influence development in the region.

“The establishment of NDCCITMA will positively influence the development of a robust transport system, manufacturing, merchandising, mining, marine, and food security for our families.

“We intend to work with the people and bring down the cost of food to an affordable level to improve the health of our people,” he said.

The chairman of NDCCITMA, Idaere Ogan, described the chamber as a forum where people could seek genuine guidance and assistance in developing their businesses and scaling up capabilities.

Mr Ogan also said that the chambers would boost trade and commerce from the nano business level through the micro, small and medium enterprises to the large organisations.

He said, “We are poised to work with our development partners, the NDDC, to solve the food problem of the region, enable manufacturing of goods, develop skills and build capacity within the region.”

He called on all the chambers of commerce in the region, business communities, professional associations, governments and individuals to prepare to work with NDCCITMA for accelerated development of the region.

(NAN)