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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to rehabilitate the historic Memorial Hall of King J.T. Princewill, Amachree VII, in Buguma, Rivers State, as part of efforts to preserve the cultural heritage and historical identity of the Niger Delta.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made the commitment when he led a delegation of the Commission's management and staff, alongside former officials of the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), on a condolence visit to the Kalabari Traditional Rulers Council.
The delegation visited the palace of the Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom, Chief Charles Numbere Princewill, to pay their last respects to the late pioneer OMPADEC Chairman, Pa Albert Korubo Horsfall.
Ogbuku said the Commission's development mandate extended beyond the construction of roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure to include the preservation of the region's history, culture and heritage.
He stressed that protecting historical landmarks was essential to sustaining the identity of the people and ensuring that future generations remained connected to their cultural roots.
The NDDC Managing Director described the King J.T. Princewill Memorial Hall as an important historical landmark representing the rich heritage and enduring identity of the Kalabari people.
He explained that the proposed rehabilitation would restore the facility to its former significance and make it a source of historical pride for residents and visitors.
Ogbuku also described the death of Horsfall as a significant loss to the Kalabari Kingdom and the entire Niger Delta, noting that his pioneering leadership at OMPADEC laid the foundation for modern development interventions in the region.
He acknowledged the late elder statesman's contributions to development administration and the advancement of the Niger Delta.
Responding, the Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom, Chief Charles Numbere Princewill, thanked the NDDC delegation for honouring the memory of Horsfall and commended the Commission for its commitment to preserving the kingdom's historic landmarks.
