PIND Spends $190m on Peace-building, Economic Development in N’Delta

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The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has committed more than $190 million in carrying out its corporate mandates in the Niger Delta since its inception about eight years ago.

The Deputy Executive Director of PIND, Mr. Tunji Idowu disclosed this while fielding questions from participants at executive session of the Capacity Building for Local Empowerment (CAPABLE) of regional and national media practitioners, at the PIND Centre EgbokodoItsekiri in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Idowu, who gave a detailed explanation on the organisation’s efforts to tackle poverty and associated insecurity in the region, also stressed the need for all stakeholders to brace up for possible threats to peace in the Niger-Delta especially in view of Nigeria’s 2019 general election.

He noted that PIND had been largely funded by Chevron Corporation to effectively carry out its mandate of building partnerships towards enhancing equitable social and economic development in the region in an atmosphere of peace.

Idowu revealed that Chevron mobilised PIND with $90 million while the organisation successfully sourced over $100 million from several donor agencies it has partnered.

Since taking off, according to him, PIND received $50 and $40 million in the first and second phases, respectively, agencies, including USAID, Rotary and others, provided over $100 million through partnerships.