{
  "id": 7811202,
  "title": "Alaibe: Niger Delta Must Break From Six Decades of Extraction",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/alaibe-niger-delta-must-break-from-six-decades-of-extraction",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T15:17:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/16/alaibe-niger-delta-must-break-from-six-decades-of-extraction/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, has called for a significant shift in the economic trajectory of the Niger Delta region. At the 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit in Port Harcourt, Alaibe emphasized that the region must transition from a prolonged era of raw-material extraction to become a production, processing, logistics, and trading hub for West and Central Africa. Alaibe stressed that despite six decades of oil production, the Niger Delta continues to grapple with poverty and inadequate infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for a new development strategy centered on accountability, economic integration, and indigenous enterprise. He pointed out that the persistent question facing the region is no longer about the volume of crude oil extraction but how effectively its natural and human resources can be transformed into sustainable economic opportunities. Alaibe observed that despite the region's substantial contribution to Nigeria's oil economy, many communities still lack essential infrastructure, healthcare, education, and clean water. He argued that while petroleum initially established the Niger Delta's connection to the global economy, the region's true potential lies in reclaiming its commercial heritage by developing industries capable of competing globally. Citing historical trading centers such as Aba and the Ariaria International Market, Alaibe underscored the enduring entrepreneurial spirit of the region and the necessity of providing businesses with the necessary infrastructure and commercial systems to scale. He stressed that access to a continental market through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would be meaningless without competitive logistics, reliable electricity, product standards, trade finance, and efficient customs procedures. Alaibe proposed the development of integrated economic corridors that link production centers to ports, airports, processing facilities, warehouses, and markets, instead of treating infrastructure as isolated projects. He also highlighted the underutilized potential of the region's waterways, advocating for the development of navigable channels, jetties, cargo terminals, and safer systems for barging and coastal shipping to support fisheries, aquaculture, marine engineering, ship repair, fabrication, and coastal tourism. Emphasizing the importance of security as \"economic infrastructure,\" Alaibe noted that insecurity along port corridors, waterways, and industrial zones raises operating costs and deters investment. He provided evidence of the decline in crude losses, from nearly 103,000 barrels daily in 2021 to around 9,600 barrels by mid-2025, attributable to collaborative efforts among government, security agencies, communities, and private operators. Alaibe also advocated for greater accountability in regional development planning, emphasizing that master plans must be implemented and supported by stronger legislative backing. He called for a balance between investing in physical infrastructure and direct investments aimed at enhancing household welfare, education, healthcare, skills development, and enterprise creation. Finally, Alaibe encouraged the involvement of platforms like the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce in fostering small and medium-sized enterprises, asserting that the Niger Delta's future must be built on value addition and trade, transforming the region into a production and trading powerhouse in the African market.",
  "summary": "• Insists region needs strategic governance, integrated infrastructure to unlock economic potential Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}