The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) led by Executive Director, Dr. Dara Akala met  with the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Okezie Ikpeazu on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at the Government House in Umuahiato discuss the implementation of the 30-year Abia State Long-Term Development Plan which PIND and  development partners have helped the State to develop.

In November 2018, Abia State emerged as the Eastern Niger Delta zone winner of the region-wide development planning pitching competition organized by PIND, the European Union, and the DFID Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE) project. Since then, PIND has been working with the State to develop the 30-year plan, involving every arm of the Abia State government and reflecting the thoughts and interests of the Abia people as regards the future of their State. This was done through town halls and other stakeholder engagement sessions held across the three senatorial zones in the State.

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The Abia State Long-Term Development Plan is considered novel because it moves beyond a “Project mentality” (incrementally growing the number of projects), and instead aids achieving  large scale, sustainable system change. The plan has four cross-cutting themes, seven sections, 15 chapters, and 11 pillars including: Agriculture, Industry, Trade and Investment, Oil and Gas, Health, Education, Social Protection, Governance and Public Service Reforms, Infrastructure, Environment and Regional Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).

This effort, along with that also going on with the Edo State Government (winner of the Western Niger Delta zone in the same development planning pitching competition), build on PIND’s previous work with the Cross River State Government to develop and launch the 30-year Cross River State Growth and Development Strategy in 2018. Through these projects, PIND is laying a blueprint for sustainable growth in the Niger Delta region through development planning.

PIND Foundation is a Nigerian non-profit organization established in 2010 by Chevron Corporation to promote equitable economic development and peace through partnerships in the Niger Delta.