The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced the construction of a 15-kilometre Ajowa Akoko-Akunnu Akoko Road linking Ondo and Kogi states, insisting that the contractor must not compromise on quality.
The NDDC Acting Managing Director, Dr Akwagaga Enyia, who inspected the project at Ajowa in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, noted that the virgin road would connect many communities from Ajowa, through Akunnu to Kaaba in Kogi State and Abuja.
Enyia, stated that the NDDC was committed to building sustainable infrastructure in the Niger Delta region, stressing: “We want to build infrastructure that will last for 20 years or more.”
She warned: “All contractors working for the NDDC in the Niger Delta region should know that the days of sub-standard jobs are over. Enough of shoddy and shabby jobs. We must have value for money. As we pay contractors, they must go back to site and continue with the task of executing solid roads that will stand the test of time.”
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer stressed that there would be no payment for the sub-standard jobs, stating that contractors must adhere strictly to agreed specifications. She also charged members of the benefiting communities to support the NDDC and join in monitoring the project to complement the efforts of NDDC engineers.
Enyia emphasised: “The NDDC will not tolerate leakages and we must have value for money. In the past, roads were built to last for over 20 years. There is no reason why NDDC roads will not last for that long.
The Project Manager, Engr Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, told the NDDC boss that they had deployed the right equipment to ensure that they delivered according to the job specifications for the project.
In his remarks, the Oba Oluro of Uro expressed appreciation to the NDDC for what he described as a wonderful project. He assured that the benefiting communities would monitor the progress of work to ensure that the contractor worked according to specifications. “So far, the contractors is doing a good job and we will cooperate with them to ensure that the project was completed on schedule.
The NDDC boss also inspected the 7.5 Arigidi Akoko-Okeagbe Road in Arigidi Akoko Local Government Area of Ondo State, where Prince Aliyu Olanipekun, who represented the Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, thanked the commission for saving them from many years of suffering.