The Niger Delta Development Commission has inaugurated two roads and an erosion control project in Obio-Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
During the inauguration of the projects, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Dr. Efiong Akwa, said the commission executed the projects as a deliberate policy to open up and link communities at the grassroots for development.
This was contained in a statement issued by the interventionist agency’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Akwa, who was accompanied by Directors of the Commission, charged the communities served by the roads to ensure that they played their part in protecting and maintaining the projects, which included the 2.5kilometer Mbodo-Aluu Link Road and the construction of stormwater drains and erosion control in Rukpokwu community, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Others are emergency repairs of failed and unmotorable sections of Ahia-Oma Street and Aliaku Street in Okparagwa-Omagwa, Ikwere Local Government Area.
He said the realisation of the projects was made possible by the support of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana.
Addressing the Rukpokwu community, Akwa said, “This is a good project to be proud of. This intervention is a response to the directive of President Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. The communities in this area will benefit tremendously from this project.”
The NDDC boss described the completed projects as a testimony to some local contractors’ commitment to delivering quality projects to the people.
Speaking earlier during a courtesy call at his palace, the Paramount Ruler of Rukpokwu, Eze Collins Ogwu, lauded the NDDC for considering his community worthy to be one of the beneficiaries of quality projects.
He said, “The impact of the road has been felt by the residents of the town, because it has provided an alternative route from the Airport Federal Road and facilitated easy interconnection in the town.”
At the Omuikume Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area, the Akwa observed that the road had transformed the environment and commended the contractor for doing a good job even without being paid before commencing the project.
“The road has added to the socio-economic outlook of the community and increased the value of the properties in the area,” he added.
Akwa commended the youths in the area for cooperating with the contractor and promised to upgrade the road by awarding another contract for street lights.
Speaking on behalf of the Omuikume community, the Secretary, Community Development Council, Mr. Chijioke Micah, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for constructing what he described as “a beautiful road network” for them.
“Before now, community development and industrial activities were marred by lack of good roads and other infrastructural developments,” he said.
