The re-construction of the 2.6 kilometre Reclamation Road in Port Harcourt by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has revived the fortunes of the Naval Shipyard, a strategic national and defence asset in Rivers State.
Also revived are the 50-year-old Port Harcourt Boat Club and dozens of industries in the area.
The Naval Shipyard also includes the Admiralty China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Limited, which handles ship building, repairs and marine fabrication for public and private sector clients.
It is one of three such assets in Nigeria. The others are Ogogoro Island and the Navy Dockyard, Lagos.
Expressing appreciation for the road project, the Commodore Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited, Commodore Abolaji Orederu, said that the road has changed the lives of people of several communities in the area, as well as bringing more businesses to the companies in the shipyard.
Orederu, who presented souvenirs to the NDDC team that inspected the completed road, said that the Commission did a good job on the road and deserved more than commendations.
The contractor that handled the project, Mr Kabaka Brown, said that the 2.6 kilometre road links four major communities and seven smaller communities, with about fifty thousand people living or doing business there.
He commended members of the communities, which included Isaka, Magcobar and Bundu-Ama, for cooperating with the workers during the construction of the road, noting that they were very helpful in spite of security challenges.
Brown said: “From my past experience, when you go to some communities they give you serious trouble when you want to execute a project, but we came to this community and after the first meeting we gave them what is due to them. There was no issue of theft, kidnaping or disturbance till we left the site.”
He said that the road was totally impassable when they started work on it. “When we came to this road everywhere was in a mess and they told us that some persons have come and rejected the job because it is a tough work for them. But we came in with our expertise and we were able to do the job.”
Brown said that the road would enhance the social and economic activities in the area, stating that it would improve the living conditions of the people.
He commended the executive management of the NDDC for facilitating the development of communities in the Niger Delta region.
He added: “I thank the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, for his leadership which has been of tremendous benefit to the people. I also thank him for empowering local contractors.”
A community leader from Isaka, Chief Abikobere Anjie, said that the reconstruction of the road had brought a big relief for his people who rely on the jetty near the Naval shipyard. He observed: “For a long time, the road was a nightmare for us because of its terrible state. We thank God for NDDC’s.