Overwhelmed natives and residents of Okirika Local Government Area, Rivers State have commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the four projects commissioned in the LGA. A representative of the Abam community, Chief Believe Abam, thanked the commission for the Police station, a Health Centre, a recreation centre, and a 4.5km Egbelebie Road network.
The traditional leader expressed appreciation to the NDDC for executing various projects for the community. He praised the vision and leadership capabilities of the NDDC Board and Management and urged for additional development initiatives in the region. In his comments, the NDDC Governing Board Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, remarked that the Commission’s mission to promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta was evident in Okrika.
Ebie highlighted that the NDDC Board and Management were advancing the region’s development in partnership with other stakeholders. “We believe in the need for support, collaboration, and the prayers of everyone. We serve as an intervention agency that collaborates with local, state, and federal governments. “NDDC is not competing with any other organization.”
He advised the residents of the area to abandon any belief that the NDDC competes with various levels of government, clarifying that “NDDC is not a level of government. Our role is to complement the efforts of other governmental bodies and to ensure that President Bola Tinubu’s administration successfully implements the Renewed Hope Agenda.” He urged the communities within the Okirika Local Government Area to take ownership and maintain the NDDC projects in their vicinity.
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Additionally, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, indicated that the series of project inaugurations represented the fruits of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, asserting that the NDDC was spreading the message of Renewed Hope through concrete achievements. According to the NDDC leader, “the project inaugurations began last year in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states.
This year, the initiative continued with significant projects in Delta, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Bayelsa states.” Ogbuku emphasized the importance of peace in communities to enable development. He acknowledged that President Tinubu had instructed the board to complete all ongoing projects in the Niger Delta region and assured that the Okrika-Borokiri Road and bridges would be finished promptly.
During his address, the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, remarked that the residents of Okrika were filled with joy regarding the projects and assured them that the current board of the Commission would finalize the Borokiri-Okrika bridge, which connects the community to Port Harcourt.
In his project summary, the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, stated that the road network spanned approximately four and a half kilometers, the Police Station was outfitted with an armory, separate male and female cells, and additional facilities designed to enhance security. Antai mentioned that the projects were executed to promote community development and improve the quality of life for residents. He commended the corporation from the residents and youths, and described the Okrika residents as very peaceful people.
