Niger Delta Must Shift from Oil Dependence to Production, Value Addition: Timi Alaibe

Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, believes that the region's economy must shift from dependence on crude oil extraction to production, value addition, and regional trade. Speaking at the Niger Delta Investment and Economic Summit in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he emphasized the need for a fundamental restructuring of the region's economy.

The decades-long focus on oil production have not translated into improved living conditions for the people of the Niger Delta, according to Alaibe. He highlighted persistent challenges in infrastructure, healthcare, education, potable water, and poverty.

Citing examples from the region's history, including its pre-oil palm oil trade with global markets, Alaibe stressed that production, processing, and trade should be the drivers of the region's economic future rather than extraction. He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created opportunities for businesses in the Niger Delta to access markets across Africa.

To achieve this transition, Alaibe advocated for an integrated regional infrastructure strategy, connecting production centers to processing facilities, logistics platforms, and markets. He also emphasized the importance of developing the region's waterways as commercial transport corridors.