NDDC initiates multipurpose shelter construction for flood emergencies
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced the construction of a Multipurpose Emergency Shelter, capable of housing over 1,000 individuals, to provide refuge during flood emergencies in the Niger Delta.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, revealed this development on Monday in Abuja while presenting the commission’s 2024 budget estimate of N1.911 trillion to the Senate Committee on NDDC. The budget allocates N38.5 billion for personnel, N29.2 billion for overhead, and N1 trillion for legacy projects.
Ogbuku emphasised that the shelter, a key project of the current administration, will feature amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre to support the community comprehensively.
He said, “In response to the frequent flooding challenges faced by Niger Deltans, we have commenced construction of a Multipurpose Emergency Shelter with a capacity of over 1,000 accommodations, designed to serve as a refuge during flood emergencies.
“The facility includes essential amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre, aimed at providing comprehensive support to the community.”
He highlighted the NDDC’s proactive measures to enhance emergency response and resilience in the region.
“The NDDC’s proactive approach in addressing the needs of the affected communities through such initiatives underscores the Commission’s commitment to enhancing emergency response and resilience in the Niger Delta region.”
Ogbuku further said that in the area of infrastructure, the commission came up with “Operation Light Up Niger Delta Region.”
“This has seen a reasonable number of communities being lit up using solar-powered street lights, which have boosted the economic activities of communities at night.
“In education, we have awarded foreign scholarships to 750 individuals between 2023-2024 (for 2022, 2023, and 2024 years) and provided educational grants to 84 individuals.
“Additionally, we are distributing 45,000 Ulesson tablets preloaded with Nigerian and WAEC syllabus to schools in the nine states in the Niger Delta region.”
Additionally, Ogbuku mentioned other infrastructure initiatives like “Operation Light Up Niger Delta Region,” which has provided solar-powered street lights to boost economic activities. The commission has also awarded 750 foreign scholarships and provided educational grants to 84 individuals between 2023-2024. Furthermore, 45,000 Ulesson tablets preloaded with Nigerian and WAEC syllabus are being distributed to schools in the Niger Delta.
He also added that, to improve health services, the NDDC is enrolling poor and vulnerable people into Social Health Insurance Schemes across the nine NDDC states, aiming for Universal Health Coverage.
The commission is also focused on completing ongoing projects in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directives and has earmarked N100 billion to begin paying off legacy debts, adding that in 10 years the commission would have offset the legacy debts.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, commended the commission’s scholarship program, and also acknowledged the achievements of NDDC, such as “Light Up Niger Delta.” He expressed hope that the 2024 budget would build on existing projects.
