Iruoma Okpalaebubu
The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has inaugurated the reconstructed 23.7-Kilometre Ndoro-Ntalakwu Road Networks and adjoining roads in Ikwuano Local Government Area and the reconstructed Isi-Court Olokoro-Amaoba Oboro Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
Speaking at the event, Momoh, said that the road projects demonstrated the determination of the Federal Government to develop the Niger Delta region.
The Minister commended the NDDC Board and Management for responding appropriately to the directives of President Bola Tinubu’s charge to deliver impactful projects in the Niger Delta region.
He thanked President Tinubu for enabling the NDDC to complete and commission projects in Delta, Rivers, Imo, and Abia states.
He charged the NDDC to ensure that the primary school at the commissioning venue was renovated.
Momoh implored the Governors of Niger Delta states to continue to partner with the NDDC.
“The NDDC is setting standards in good performance in the region. I advise the regional development agencies to emulate the Commission in delivering projects to the people.”
The Minister said, “I am pleased that the NDDC is doing very well, which is in line with President Tinubu’s directives. I thank the President and members of the National Assembly for enabling the NDDC to operate efficiently.”
In his speech, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, said the NDDC roads would enhance his people’s livelihood and boost the communities’ economic and social activities.
Governor Otti, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Keleb Ajagba, thanked President Tinubu and the NDDC for their unwavering commitment to developing the Niger Delta region.
He noted: “Roads are the arteries driving the development and progress. They drive economic growth and open up the hinterlands. They will improve the livelihood of the people. Thank you for your services to our state and thank you for your services to the nation.”
Governor Otti urged the benefiting communities to own the projects, preserve them, and ensure their longevity.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NDDC Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said that the completion of the road network was a reflection of the President Tinubu administration’s desire to transform the Niger Delta region.
He said: “We thank our stakeholders for their support and encouragement, which has boosted our desire to ensure that we give them what they deserve. We also appreciate the state governments’ support and partnership with us in several areas.
He said the Commission was determined to partner with governors of Niger Delta states to ensure that the oil-producing states enjoy sustainable development.
Also speaking, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, restated his commitment to the mandate given to the Commission by President Tinubu to change the narrative in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.
Ogbuku affirmed that the Commission was engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the task of developing the Niger Delta region.
He assured that the Commission would continue to positively impact the lives of the people of the region, adding that most of the projects it embarked upon were based on needs assessments.
Ogbuku stated, “We are committed to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government in the Niger Delta region. We remain dedicated to the mandate given to the NDDC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transform the narrative in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.”
The Traditional Ruler of Ikwuano, Eze Ogbnnaya Agwu, commended the NDDC for completing the road network.