Prince Amgbare Unveils Vision to Empower Rural Dwellers , Eradicate Poverty
...Vows to build productive farming communities through PPP, food security initiatives
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has unveiled his bold vision for transforming rural communities across Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States through sustainable agriculture, food production, and anti-poverty initiatives.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the management team of Transformation Digest magazine led by its Publisher, Professor Opuala Charles, Prince Amgbare declared that his overriding dream is to make rural dwellers productive and self-reliant by transforming their communities into vibrant, functional farming hubs.
“My philosophy and dream are to eradicate poverty by making ordinary people productive. I want to see communities transformed through the NDBDA into hubs of vibrant agricultural activity,” he stated.
According to Amgbare, one of the key pillars of his plan is to establish cooperative-based farming systems, encouraging local participation through community-owned agribusinesses. He noted that unlike handout-based or “starter-pack” approaches, his method is hands-on, participatory, and focused on long-term sustainability.
“We’re engaging communities directly. I want to visit farms, work with the people, and support them in poultry, fishing, and other agribusiness ventures. This is not business as usual. It is about making a tangible impact—peacefully and productively,” he stressed.
Prince Amgbare highlighted the successful transformation of the Peremabiri Rice Farmers Association (PRFA) as a model of what can be achieved with commitment and community participation under his leadership.
On innovation, he cited the Songhai farm system—where waste is recycled to fuel productivity—as a vision for what NDBDA aims to replicate. “We want to develop functional farms where nothing is wasted and every input yields economic value,” he said.
To support large-scale agricultural transformation, Amgbare emphasized the need for partnerships beyond government funding. He revealed that a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model has been adopted by the Authority to attract reputable investors into food production and agribusiness ventures across its catchment areas.
“We’re thinking outside the box. The envelope system cannot deliver food security. Sometimes a project needs ₦700 million, but we’re allocated only ₦25 million. How many years will it take to complete such a project? That’s why we’re inviting willing partners and state governments,” he said.
Applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s focus on commercial agriculture, Amgbare said the Authority is drawing inspiration from the president’s charge to commercialize farming across the country.
“President Tinubu has shown bold leadership in the agricultural sector. We are aligning with that vision, and NDBDA is repositioning itself to deliver real results to the people,” he noted.
Beyond agriculture, Prince Amgbare also spoke on the urgent need to address sanitation challenges in riverine communities, particularly the issue of open defecation. He described the practice as outdated and unacceptable in modern society.
“We must put an end to open defecation. It pollutes our rivers and portrays our people in a negative light. We are intensifying campaigns to promote safe sanitation practices and protect our environment,” he declared.
Prince Amgbare assured that the Authority’s focus will remain firmly on tangible outcomes in three key advocacy areas: poverty eradication, agricultural transformation, and environmental sanitation.
With a deep commitment to grassroots development, the MD/CEO reiterated that his administration will continue to push for innovative, people-driven solutions that will restore dignity, productivity, and prosperity to rural communities in the Niger Delta.
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