By Theophilus Onojeghen
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Friday reaffirmed the interventionist agency’s readiness to partner with state governments in the region for the development of critical infrastructure under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
This is even as the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, and the management board of NDDC have agreed to collaborate on the construction of the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road project, which will link the upland part of the state to oil-bearing communities in the creeks.
They said the road project, when executed, will link communities in Warri South and Warri South West local government areas to other parts of the state as well as boost economic and social growth in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Oborevwori and the management of NDDC-led by the board chairman and commission Managing Director, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, respectively, announced the partnership on Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road project during the commissioning of the ‘NDDC Delta Office’ at Okere-Urhobo in Warri on Friday.
While inaugurating the three-storey building, Governor Oborevwori harped on the need for NDDC and the states to collaborate for service delivery to the people of the region, stressing that such partnership will bring greater good for the region.
“On the issue of the Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road, Delta State is ready to partner with the NDDC. As a government, we will support partnership either in national or regional level,” he declared.
The governor particularly tasked the interventionist agency to undertake the fixing of failed federal roads in the state to alleviate the suffering of commuters, noting that where there are issues, the state government is ready to synergise for the good of the people.
Oborevwori said, “I appeal to NDDC, let us work together to fix federal roads in our region, these roads have been a nightmare, people are not too happy.
“That’s why I kicked off the reconstruction of the Effurun–Sapele–Benin Expressway from Spare Parts Market to Ohore in Uvwie. That project is costing the state N35 billion.
The governor commended President Tinubu for the giant strides being recorded under his administration, adding that his policies and programmes are bringing succour and hope to the people of Nigeria.
“I am here today because we are major contributors to the centre, so anything for the Renewed Hope agenda, we are there 100 per cent. I appreciate President Bola Tinubu for his policies and programmes. If the policies are not working, we won’t be here”, Oborevwori added.
On his part, the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, disclosed that President Tinubu has ordered that the commission urgently complete all abandoned projects in the Niger Delta.
He stated that his ministry and NDDC had been working on the President’s order, which had led to the development of several projects including the NDDC Delta Office building and restoration of electricity in Okitupupa after 15years blackout.
Momoh, while stressing that the commission has the full backing of Mr. Prsident, he tasked the NDDC to hasten construction works on the Abraka-Benin Road to reduce traffic on the Effurun-Sapele-Benin section of the East-West Road.
According to him, “When we assumed office, it was a marching order from the President to fix the many abandoned projects in the Niger Delta. We identified them and have been commissioning projects.”
He, however, commended the board and management of the commission for the several achievements that have been recorded under their tenure in different sectors, and urged them to redouble their efforts in service delivery to the people of the region.
In his remark, Chairman of the NDDC Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, told Governor Oborevwori that the commission is ready to collaborate with him on critical projects including the construction of Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road in the state.
Ebie stated that the current NDDC Board and its management would not fail nor disappoint the people of the region in prioritising critical infrastructure and empowerment of the people.
“We work hard to ensure that we do not disappoint the people of the Niger Delta. As a board, we provide a policy direction.
“We look forward to partnering with you so that the Renewed Hope and MORE agenda which has been fused together can be actualised.
“On the possibility of partnerships on the Escravos–Warri Road, we implore you to consider that request as a high priority because that will connect the riverine communities to the land”, NDDC Board chairman told Oborevwori.
For the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, he attributed the Commission’s growing successes to President Tinubu’s unprecedented support for the interventionist agency, and pledged to deliver more projects for the development of the region.
“Mr President is one that has supported the subnational and ensured that they are well funded to carry out projects in the subnational.
“We play politics because we need to take development to the grassroots. I can tell you that Mr President has funded NDDC more than any other president in the history of the country. Mr President has said all abandoned projects should be completed, this is one of them.
“We are ambassadors of the Renewed Hope agenda, we define renewed hope into ideas and reality,” he said.
The event also had strong representation from the National Assembly pledging continued legislative support for the NDDC.
Senate Committee Chairman on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and House of Representatives Committee Chair on NDDC, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, commended the agency for its recent accomplishments and lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to the region’s development.
Senator Ekpenyong and Rep Ibori-Suenu assured that their committees “will work to ensure that funds appropriated transform to tangible projects in the Niger Delta.”
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including traditional rulers led by the state chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council and Orodje of Okpe, HRM Orhue I; Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Abe I; the Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo, HRM Owhotemu II (the host kingdom); the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri, HRM Igbi II, and others
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Delta Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator Ned Nwoko, Senator Eteng Williams, Senator Joseph Ikpea, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, Hon. Ben Etanabene, and stakeholders from across the Niger Delta.
