By Uko Okon, Uyo
The Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR) is dedicated to helping reduce poverty in the oil communities of Akwa Ibom.
The CSO has also promised to tackle issues related to good governance and oil pollution in the Niger Delta.
In an interview on Wednesday in Uyo, the state capital, Hon. Emem Edoho, the Executive Director of NAPPDRR, shared details about the program set to launch in June 2025. He emphasized that this intervention is crucial due to the significant underdevelopment in the communities that host oil and gas activities.
“We are ready to empower the oil and gas host communities in Akwa Ibom State through the Empower2Sustain initiative, a key program under the Green The Future Climate and Environmental Justice initiative,” he stated.
Edoho mentioned that an international organization, the Global Greengrants Fund (GGF), would finance the project with a recommendation from Oilwatch Africa (OA) in Nigeria. He explained that the project’s goals include building resilience, promoting agroecology, and strengthening food sovereignty in the area.
“The main goals of this initiative are to support sustainable farming practices that focus on ecological principles, diversity, and nutrient cycling to improve resilience and food security. We aim to enhance the ability of host communities to handle climate-related challenges, ensuring steady livelihoods and better well-being.
“We want to assist communities in shaping their own food and agricultural systems, emphasizing safe, nutritious, and culturally relevant food production. Through this intervention, we hope to improve access to nutritious food and better nutrition outcomes for vulnerable groups,” he added.
Edoho assured that the program “will greatly impact the lives of the rural poor and other vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom State.”
Endocho assured that the program “will greatly influence the lives of the rural poor and other vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom State, especially in the oil and gas host communities.”
“NAPPDRR is dedicated to building a more sustainable and fair food system that benefits both people and the planet. This initiative is an important step toward creating a more resilient and sustainable future for our communities. We are committed to supporting local food systems and promoting agroecology as a key approach to enhancing food security and livelihoods,” he emphasized.
