Recently, Atlanta Global Sources and the federal government, through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, agreed to cooperate in the construction of a $15 billion railroad project spanning all nine states in the Niger Delta region. The agreement was signed at the Rewind to Rebirth NDDC Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit in Lagos on April 25, 2023.

Speaking at the meeting, Niger Delta Affairs Minister Umana Umana said the PPP effort is aimed at attracting international and private investors to help finance the Niger Delta's enormous development challenges.

Minister Umana noted that the PPP is an integral part of the action plan to reposition the NDDC. Minister Umana said that the Niger Delta has a credible plan in place to maximize the advantages of its vast natural resources, especially oil and gas, which contribute significantly to the country's economy and development.

Umana also lamented the region's many problems, including underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation. "The Federal Government recognizes the need to address these challenges and ensure that the people of the Niger Delta enjoy the benefits of their resources and potential," he said. That is why the government established the Niger Delta Development Commission in 2000 with the sole mission of promoting rapid, balanced and sustainable development in the region. In this regard, the National Development Council has been implementing various projects and programs in the sectors of health, education, agriculture, environment, youth empowerment, transport and social welfare. In doing so, the Council has provided high-quality roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, water schemes, electrification projects, skills acquisition centres, agricultural inputs and equipment, waste management facilities, and scholarships.

The Niger River Delta is located in southern Nigeria, West Africa, formed by the alluvial Niger River, covering an area of 36,000 square kilometers. After the discovery of rich oil and natural gas in the 1950s, it quickly became an important oil-producing area. There are important cities and ports such as Port Harcourt and Sapele.Editor/Ma Xue