NDDC boss laments IOCs’ exit from Warri

Port Harcourt -- The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has lamented that Warri, Delta State, was now a shadow of itself since most of the international oil companies, IOCs, exited the city and moved their operations elsewhere.

Recall that Shell and Chevron in 2013 moved out of Warri and focused on the deepwaters on the excuse of hostile business environment.

Ogbuku said this when he led a delegation of NDDC officials on a courtesy visit to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, in Warri, disclosing that the commission has set up a public/private partnership, PPP, to drive development in the Niger Delta.

The NDDC boss stated that the commission was coming up with new ways of working with development partners to change the story of Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

He said it was necessary to visit the Warri monarch because the commission recognised the fact “that Warri kingdom is the hub of oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta region.”

"We have come up with a PPP committee to help change the narrative in the Niger Delta region. Today, our doors are open to new partnerships through PPP. We have visited the NNPC to explore possibilities of collaboration with them.

“We are here to seek your support in reaching out to k e y stakeholders in the Niger Delta region such as the Delta State Government and the International Oil Companies operating in your kingdom to support our PPP initiatives," he said.

Ogbuku appealed to the monarch to assist in building

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku

partnerships for the completion of the KokoOghoye Road project in Warri North Local Government Area, which would connect Warri to Escravos.