We are facing financial challenges, says NDDC

Mike Odiegwu, Port HarcourtThe Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, on Wednesday said the commission was facing financial challenges.Pondei, who spoke when he received a delegation from the Etche America Foundation, USA, at the NDDC permanent headquarters in Port Harcourt commended the plans by the Non-Governmental Organisation to build a skill acquisition centre in Etche, Rivers State.Pondei said the commission would have opted to support the project but for the financial problems confronting it.Pondei said the skill centre was a laudable project aimed at improving lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.The NDDC boss in a statement signed by the commissions Director, Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, complaint that the budget of the NDDC had not been approved.He asked the promoters of the project to exercise patience insisting that there was a limitation on the liquidity of the commission.He observed that skill acquisition and human capital development were some of the key areas the Federal Government was exploring for youth engagement.Pondei said: We thank you for being altruistic, leaving the comfort of your base in US to return to give back to your community. This is commendable and we urge other communities to emulate your efforts.He said for the skill acquisition centre to be sustainable, the foundation must make a conscious effort to provide instructors.We hope that the centre will not be limited to serving only people from Etche but should be open to all Niger Delta people, Pondei said.READ ALSO:Group exposes plot to fleece NDDCEarlier in his address, the President of Etche America Foundation USA, Dr. Richard Nwankwoala, commended the NDDC for its interventionist programmes in the Niger Delta region.He called on the NDDC to support the foundation in setting up skills acquisition centers in Etche communities saying they had been partners in the empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta region.Nwankwoala said the project included building roads that would connect Etche communities and renovation of hospitals in the area.He said: We seek financial assistance from you which will enable us to complete our Skill Acquisition programme that we have embarked upon as a way of engaging and empowering the youths in Etche land.Etche America Foundation (EAF), has planned to build a Skills Acquisition Centre to train the youths in various skills which includes Poultry and Fishery, Auto-technical, Electricals, Plumbing, Tiling, Welding, Leatherworks (shoes and bags making), Fashion Design and Catering Services.
Click here to read full news..