Overwhelmed residents of Lovers Unity Road, have poured encomium on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), over the emergency contraction of their road which has been a deathtrap for over 15 years. They also commended the contractor, WestPac Engineering Group, for timely intervention to rehabilitate the road, which business owners and landlords described as bad luck.
Some persons recounted their ordeals on the road, lamenting that countless attempts had been made to put the road in a motorable state, but all proved abortive. Parents revealed that during the rainy season, they use a boat to cross their children when going to school, while others explained that they buy rain boots or carry their children when crossing the water.
A hairstylist who spoke when the officials of the NDDC arrived Lovers Road axis for the signing and formal handover of the 1.4 kilometers road to the contractor, said “if them do road we go benefit well well. This bad road has been disturbing us, especially when it rains. “We say kudos to NDDC, we really appreciate. We have suffered too much, the rain has been disturbing us, bad road, even when car pass they will splash water on us. We appreciate, thank you, NDDC.”
The road which connects the Rumuchiorlu Community with the second market end of Eneka Clan, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, is a 1.4-kilometer road which the contractor promised to complete in 90 days. The residents also eulogised the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for approving the installation of solar lights on the road.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Lovers Unity Road, Mr Livinus Mbakogu, said, “It is with immense joy and heartfelt appreciation that I, on behalf of the entire residents of Lovers Unity Road, warmly welcome the managing director of NDDC and his esteemed delegation to our community today.
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“This is a day of great significance for us, a day that marks not just the commencement of road construction and streetlight project but the beginning of improved access, enhance living standards, and renewed hope for our people for years, the residents of Lovers Unity Road have endured the challenges posed by poor road infrastructure inadequate lighting difficult access during rainy seasons, damage to vehicle and limited mobility for the young and elderly alike.
“Your presence, here today and the flag-off of this road project stand as a strong testimony to the commitment of the NDDC to grassroots development, social impact, and infrastructural transformation within the Niger Delta region. We are encouraged that our voices have been heard and that meaningful action is being taken to improve our daily lives.
“This project is more than just a road and streetlight; it is a path to better health, easier education, business growth, and greater community connection.” The chairman further assured NDDC of the people’s full support and cooperation. He encouraged the contractor to carry out the project with excellence, even as he expressed confidence in the NDDC.
Also speaking, a representative of the community, Mr Aleruchi Chukwu, commended the federal government and NDDC for the. intervention. “We have confidence in NDDC. We are sure that they will do it. We are also praying that God will make funds available for the contractor because this contract they are funding by themselves, they have not received any part payment, and I pray that God should open a door for them to get every required fund to complete this road.”
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We are going to give them all the necessary support to make sure their job is completed on time.” Further, the contractor handling the project, Mr. Abiye Abhili, assured the people of standard work delivery and completion within the next 90 days.
“The truth is that we have a standard, and I can assure you that WestPac Engineering Group is of the highest standard when it comes to the delivery of work. We’ve always maintained the scope given by the consultants and clients, the NDDC. By God’s grace, this is one of the projects we want to finish in record time because we are looking forward to the MD NDDC to come in and commission this road.
“From our work schedule, we have a maximum time of 90 days, and we are out of here. That is part of our commitment to them. It’s a build-up area already, so we do not intend to allow discomfort to neighbours because of traffic here, we have a full team here to ensure rapid delivery.”
Abhili commended the residents for being cooperative, promising that “the company is going to relate with NDDC and the residents have our assurances that there will be an extension of these projects after this particular project finishes.”
Earlier, Mrs Adagogo Rita Brown, a representative of the NDDC, provided details about the ongoing road project. She stated that the project involves constructing a 1.4-kilometer road with a one-sided drainage system and solar lights.
