NDDC Trains Youths to Prepare Niger Delta for Growing Gas Economy

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said it is investing in skills training to help young people benefit from new opportunities in Nigeria’s growing gas sector.

Speaking during a visit by the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr Ed Ubong, to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director of the Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the agency was preparing Niger Delta youths for jobs linked to natural gas and cleaner energy.

Ogbuku said the Commission had already trained about 500 youths in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and autogas conversion this year. He noted that the programme was designed to equip young people with practical skills needed in the emerging gas industry.

According to him, the NDDC is aligning its programmes with the Federal Government’s economic plans by supporting gas utilisation and promoting cleaner energy solutions.

Focus on skills and economic opportunities

Ogbuku said human capital development remains one of the Commission’s major priorities. He explained that the NDDC’s work goes beyond roads and other physical projects to include skills acquisition, capacity building, and economic empowerment.

He said the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources was creating new opportunities for businesses and workers in the Niger Delta.

“Gas is the future, and the NDDC is ready to embrace initiatives that position the Niger Delta to benefit from the opportunities inherent in the sector,” he said.

He added that the Commission would continue discussions with the Decade of Gas Initiative to build a partnership that would support growth and development in the region.

Partnership expected to create more benefits

Ubong said the Decade of Gas Initiative was eager to work with the NDDC to expand gas development across the Niger Delta.

He said Nigeria could achieve greater economic growth by making better use of its gas resources. He noted that one of the Initiative’s goals is to increase electricity generation through greater gas utilisation by 2030.

Ubong also said efforts were ongoing to make cooking gas more affordable and available to Nigerians. He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved a programme to distribute one million gas cylinders every year for five years.

According to him, the programme aims to reach five million beneficiaries by 2030 and create opportunities for women in gas distribution, retailing, refilling, and other related businesses.

He noted that Bayelsa State would be among the next beneficiaries, with gas cylinder distribution to women expected to begin in the first week of July.

Ubong said collaboration with the NDDC would play an important role in ensuring the success of gas development programmes across the Niger Delta.