Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has called on development partners to expand interventions in the Niger Delta beyond physical infrastructure to include innovation hubs, industrial clusters, digital centres, and skills acquisition programs.
Speaking on Friday while receiving the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas said meaningful progress in the oil-rich region requires a holistic approach that combines infrastructure with economic empowerment and human capital development.
“Infrastructure remains a major need, but so is social investment, human capital development, and economic inclusion. A bridge that doesn’t lead to opportunities is a bridge half built,” Ibas said.
He urged the adoption of development models that stimulate both regional and national economic growth, highlighting the need for agro-processing zones, youth enterprise programs, and improved digital infrastructure.
Ibas commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for ongoing projects in Rivers State, including the Kaa-Taaba Bridge in Ogoni Land and the Borikiri Ring Road in Okrika, describing them as “economic arteries” connecting communities.
He called for deeper collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, NDDC, the South-South Commission, and the Rivers State Government to remove bottlenecks and ensure development efforts deliver measurable impact.
In his response, Minister Momoh said his visit was part of a nationwide tour to assess ongoing and abandoned NDDC projects, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to complete such initiatives. He praised Ibas for fostering peace and stability in Rivers State, which he said has boosted investment and economic activity.
The meeting reaffirmed federal and state stakeholders’ commitment to driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta through infrastructure, innovation, and economic empowerment.
