The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has re-affirmed its commitment to the execution of quality projects for the people of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during an inspection tour of NDDC projects in Obio-Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas of Rivers State, the Acting Managing Director of the Commission, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, stated that the Commission was dedicated to building sustainable infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.
Professor Brambaifa, who was accompanied by the Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration, Dr Chris Amadi and other directors of the Commission, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done at the various projects.
He stressed: “We want to build infrastructure that will last. You can see the quality of work done on the drainage here. It is not the one you complete today and tomorrow it is flooded and you start all over again. This is a good job and this is the quality we want for all our projects in the different communities across the region.
“We can’t compromise on quality. That is why we have our project monitoring unit. Before we pay for any job, we carry out evaluation to make sure that they meet specifications as the ones we have seen today.”
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer said that the inspection tour was necessary because the Commission needed to be sure of what it was paying for. He clarified: “Work on the Isiokpo ring road is impressive. At least, I know that I am paying for quality job here. That is why I came on this inspection to see what I am paying for. I am quite satisfied with what I see as it relates to the quality of work.”
Brambaifa noted the economic benefits of community roads and reaffirmed the determination of the NDDC to open up the interior areas in the region to enable the rural dwellers evacuate their farm produce to the urban centres.
He urged the members of the benefitting communities to support the NDDC and also show appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for bringing development to the Niger Delta region.
Giving his own impressions, the Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration, Dr Chris Amadi, explained that the NDDC executive management was embarking on the spot inspection of all the projects spread across the region. “This is one of such inspections and we will continue from this point to other locations,” he said.
Dr Amadi remarked that the projects would surely add economic value to the communities, noting: “Previously, the villagers did not have access to their farms and they found it difficult to move their farm produce to the market. With the roads criss-crossing different communities, the people are better for it.
He assured that NDDC would not relent in carrying out its mandate to fast-track development and impact positively on communities in the region, especially with the kind of support it getting from the Federal Government.
The Project Manager supervising the Isiokpo Internal Roads, Engr Rabih Ramedi, assured the NDDC team that the roads would be ready soon, stating that asphalting would be completed within two weeks.
A former Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Dr Kerian Wobodo, expressed appreciation to the NDDC for building good roads for Niger Delta communities. “By fixing our roads, you have shown us love and it has given us hope and confidence on the administration of President Buhari,” he said.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of Akpor kingdom, Nye-Nwe Ali Akpor, Eze Aniele Orlu-Oriebe, thanked the Federal Government for spreading development to the rural areas through the intervention of the NDDC.
The projects inspected included the emergency road repairs at Orada School Road in Ozuoba, Omuwobukwu Radial Roads in Omagwa, Ozuaha-Ubima Road, Old Ajuro Road in Alimini, Isiokpo, as well as the Isiokpo Ring Road.