The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has commissioned the Ubaha-Umuogba Orindu link Road in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
Speaking at the commissioning of the 3.2-kilometre road, the NDDC Managing Director, Nsima Ekere, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Projects, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, said that the road is one of the emergency intervention projects undertaken in the last couple of months by the Commission.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer said that as an interventionist agency, the NDDC was ever ready to come to the rescue of failing infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.
Ekere commended the communities for the peaceful way they conducted themselves while the project was in progress. He remarked: “The contractor never reported being disturbed in the course of executing the project. It means that the community is enlightened and that their youths are disciplined. It also means that they love progress.”
The NDDC boss expressed delight that the road was completed in record time, noting that the contractor mobilized and built the road with commitment and dedication.
Ekere declared: “The days when NDDC was being associated with sub-standard projects are over. From the inception of the present board and management, the NDDC is committed to delivering quality projects all over the Niger Delta. We will rather work on 1kilometre road and do it very well than build 10 kilometer and do a shabby job.
“Recently, we invited all the consultants that designed NDDC projects and told them that we will not accept any sub-standard project. The designs for our projects must be world class and they must stand the test of time. We have every reason to insist on high quality projects because the terrain in the Niger Delta is very challenging.”
The NDDC Director for Abia State Office, George Ero, said that the Ubaha Road provided an alternative link between Abia and Imo states, adding that it had boosted the socio-economic activities in the communities along its path.
He praised the members of the benefitting community for their friendly disposition and cooperative attitude, stating that other communities in the region should borrow a leaf from Abia people.
The traditional ruler of Ekeoba community, Eze Nwoko Nna, thanked the NDDC for building and maintaining the road traversing many communities. According to him, without the intervention of the NDDC, the road would have been impassable by now.”
Nna Said: “We are not Oliver Twist, but we wish to tell you that there are more projects begging to be done in our community.”