NDDC: Changing mindsets

"When we resumed, we found out that there were people who usually hang around the (NDDC headquarters) gates
and we understand that some of them have benefited from our projects and some collected starter-packs, sold
them and came back to the gates.

I had to find out if it is more profitable to remain at the gate than to be self-
employed. I think this is one of the larger problems of the region.

We need to address the mindset of our people especially the youth and restructure their thinking to focus more on economic activities rather than harassing people for money.

That is a very unfortunate way of
thinking. This is why most of the businesses that were here have moved outside the region."

"So, we will continue to develop a sustainable economic model that would get the youths engaged in sustainable
livelihoods. Most of the trainings we have done and would continue to do are for meaningful economic livelihoods.

We have several programmes in agriculture, aquaculture, welding, that would get our youths properly skilled in oil
and gas industry needs so they can be useful for themselves in oil and gas companies.

"We have also had other ones in catering, food processing, and other areas. We are looking at an entire package that would develop the youths with the right
skills.

Another thing that we are thinking of doing is to direct support to SMEs and work with the right development partners to achieve over the long term."

- Mr Nsima U Ekere,
Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC