The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, announced this at the inauguration of the board of NDCCITMA directors in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Ogbuku explained that the N10 billion was an initial deposit of the N30 billion promised by the commission to invest in the chamber in order to kick start the entrepreneurship development programme.

“Earlier, I did mention that the commission will be investing N30 billion in the Enterprise Development scheme to be managed by NDCCITMA to support the entrepreneurs in our region from the NANO, Micro to the small-scale level.

“I am here to reaffirm that promise, we shall make good the promise by releasing N10 billion to the NDCCITMA designated bank for immediate commencement of the entrepreneur’s development programme.

“We have approved 5,000 businesses to kick-start this initiative, and we assure you that NDDC is poised to grow the region in commerce and trade,” Ogbuku said.

He urged all contractors and vendors in NDDC to register with NDCCITMA by July 31.

Ogbuku said that the registration would be an added advantage for consideration of patronage by the commission.

In his remark, Mr Idaere Ogan, the Board Chairman of NDCCITMA, reaffirmed the chamber’s readiness to work with NDDC to achieve its vision of transforming the Niger Delta region.

Ogan stated that NDCCITMA aimed at facilitating job creation, skills development, innovation, export growth, and productive partnerships across all tiers of the economy.(NAN)

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, made this known in a statement, in Makurdi.

Anene said that the bus was attacked on April 3, around Otukpo Burnt Bricks area, leading to the death of the driver and one passenger.

She said the armed kidnappers thereafter took away the remaining 14 other passengers to an unknown destination.

The PRO said the command, in collaboration with the State Civil Protection Guard, rushed to the scene and found the driver and a passenger with gunshot injuries in the vehicle, while others were whisked away by the kidnappers.

“The injured were conveyed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead by a doctor.

“The team launched a search for the kidnapped victims within the nearby forest immediately.

“On April 4, at about 1500hrs, they sighted the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gun duel. The superior fire power of the police subdued them and they took to their heels, abandoning their captives.

“Unfortunately, they had inflicted matchet cuts on two of the victims before the rescue. Fourteen victims were rescued and taken to the hospital, where one was confirmed dead and others are currently receiving treatment,” she said.

Anene said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Steve Yabanet, commiserated with families of the deceased and pledged to bring the Perpetrators to book.

She said that he enjoined the people of Otukpo to look out for suspects with gunshot injuries and report to the Police, as many of the bandits received gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire. (NAN)