Oghenetejiri Nyerhovwo
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has lived up to its statutory mandate of taking development to the oil rich Niger Delta region with harvests of projects in the region over the years of its existence.
This was disclosed by Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, Ag. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the inauguration of two roads projects, Akporjevughe Road and environs and Oghene Road and environs in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, he said that the Commission has executed over one hundred and three (103) projects in Sapele Local Government Area alone.
Engr. Audu-Ohwavborua who was represented by Engr. Stephen Ogheneare, Director, Delta State Office of the NDDC called on the people of the Niger Delta region to sustain the current reigning peace in the region noting that there can be no meaningful development in the absence of peace.
The Ag. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC further disclosed that the roads would enhance socio-economic activities of the people while the drains and culverts on the roads would help channel storm waters to the nearby river that would in turn prevent flooding which has been usual occurrence in most parts of Ogorode New Road area in Sapele Town.
According to Engr. Audi-Ohwavborua, “before the award of the contract, Akporjevughe Road, Doyanbi Lane, Alfred Jonah School Road, Omoire Ojigwo Road were swampy and in unbelievably bad state, prone to perennial flooding and therefore not motorable throughout the year. The road cuts across eight major roads/streets with a total length of 4km. Oghene Road which was also in a very bad state prior to the award has a cumulative length of 2.5km which is the main alignment and nine other spurs.”
He added, “with the completion of the projects, the story has changed for the residents and commuters as they now ply the roads with ease. There is indeed considerable savings in time and money. The socio-economic importance of these roads are enormous.”
The Ag. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC spoke further, “the Commission has over the years executed notable infrastructural development projects across the Niger Delta region as part of its mandate with Delta State having its own fair share with a good number of completed projects and many on going. Sapele Local Government Area has benefited about 103 projects awarded while Sapele Town, headquarters of the LGA has 63 projects awarded, many of which have been completed.”
Inaugurating the projects, Rt. Hon. Efe Afe, Member representing Okpe /Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives commended the NDDC for living up to its billing of fulfilling it statutory functions to its mandate areas, he urge the Commission to sustain and possibly improve on the tempo of taking development to the people of the region.
He solicited the cooperation of host communities to oil companies for sustained peace and always use dialogue to sort out issues with them and government as no development can take place in a chaotic atmosphere.
