Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has inaugurated 9-kilometer Obehie-Okeikpe Road in the oil rich Asa land.
The road awarded in July, 2022, at the cost of N3 billion, is a major interstate road connecting Rivers, Abia Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Inaugurating the road, Governor Alex Otti expressed his gratitude to both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of NDDC for delivering the project to end the people’s ordeals.
Otti who noted that he inherited many dilapidated roads in the state, said that Abia under his watch, had already keyed into the President’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Represented by his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, Otti said that the road would help revive socio-economic activities of the region.
Otti, however, appealed to NDDC, to also intervene in so many uncompleted projects awarded by the Commission in parts of the state to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
“I want to thank NDDC for a job well done. I never knew you could fix this road any time soon. This shows that the new Management of NDDC is working hard.”
The Governor urged youths in the oil-rich zone to remain peaceful and refrain from tampering with oil pipelines.
He warned that Government would not be kind with anyone caught vandalising oil installations or public facilities.
Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the completion of the project awarded since April 2022, was in compliance with the presidential directive to the commission to ensure the completion of all abandoned NDDC projects.
Ogbuku described the road which links Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states as very strategic for the economic transformation of the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC boss said the commission was committed to the development of the region, regretting that NDDC has been under-appreciated over the years.
He said that NDDC had renegotiated some other abandoned projects in the zone, hinting that more projects will soon be delivered in the state.
“NDDC is transiting from transactions to transformation,” he added.
The NDDC helmsman commended Gov Otti for tackling insecurity in the area which hitherto posed serious challenges to its contractors.
He also particularly commended the contractor who delivered the project for his patriotism in returning to site and agreeing to complete the project based on the initial cost despite the rising inflation.
Describing the contractor as a patriotic Niger Deltan, Ogbuku revealed that NDDC, had decided to adopt him as a flagship of its local contractors.
Responding to an appeal by the people for NDDC to complete the power station project in the area, Dr Ogbuku regretted that the locals allowed criminals to vandalise the power installation.
He noted that a similar project awarded in Ondo State would soon be inaugurated, and urged the people to assist Government in safeguarding public utilities in their environment.
“Ours is to provide, yours is to safeguard,” he said, adding however, that efforts are on to fix the power project.
He also appealed to the youths to be peaceful and to help protect oil installations for improved government revenue.
“Help protect oil assets so you can qualify for more projects because when the oil facilities are protected Government will make more money.”
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Chinyere Dike, commended President Tinubu and NDDC for fixing the road which, he noted had been a nightmare to the people.
He, however, called for the dualisation of the inter state road considering its economic importance as the road linking Akwa Ibom and Rivers States via Abia.
The monarch also appealed to NDDC to quickly intervene and complete the power station project in the area abandoned over 20 years ago.
Giving more insight on the scope of the road project, the Executive Director Projects, NDDC, Hon. Victor Antai, said the completion of the road had reduced travel time, improved security surveillance, and boosted economic activities in the region.
He described the road as a regional road and major inter-state road connecting Rivers, Abia Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
After the inauguration, the second phase of the project which continues from Akwete to Azumini and Akwa Ibom State, was also flagged off.
Upon completion, it will make movement from Rivers via Abia to Akwa Ibom and Cross River State, less stressful.
