Gov Otti hails NDDC, commissions Abia-Akwa Ibom link road

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for constructing the 9-kilometre Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

Speaking during the commissioning of the road, linking Abia and Akwa Ibom states, the governor observed that it was almost impassable before the intervention of the NDDC. He subsequently flagged off the re-construction of Oke-Ikpe-Akwete-Ohambele Road, phase II, also to be undertaken by the NDDC.

The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, said that the NDDC had demonstrated commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He declared: “I want to say a huge thank you to the Niger Delta Development Commission because whenever I pass this road, I usually ask myself when a change will take place here. I never knew that NDDC will be able to do what we are witnessing today. For me, it means that the management of NDDC has a human face and is working to complete ongoing projects.”

The Governor assured that the state government was ready to partner with the NDDC in advancing the cause of development, promising to provide adequate security in the state.

He said: “As a government, we want to have this handshake with NDDC in making sure that abandoned projects are revisited and completed in the state.”

In his speech, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, re-stated the Commission’s resolve to fully comply with Mr. President’s directive to ensure that all on-going projects were completed and commissioned. He enjoined the people of the state to shun acts of vandalism, which according to him would retard development, lamenting that the132KVA Line 2/30 Power Transmission Sub-station in Ukwa West LGA, was vandalised when the contractor left the site.

He stated: “We are commissioning the first phase of this regional project. After this, we shall flag off the construction of the second phase which links Abia State and Akwa Ibom State so that people can have the full benefits of the road.”

“We are committed to making a difference not just in infrastructural development but also, in the lives of our people by improving their living standards.”

The Executive Director Projects, Sir. Victor Antai noted that the contract which was awarded in April 2022 at over N3 billion naira, had the scope of overlaying of 4-km of alignment; reconstruction of about 3-km failed sections and additional construction of 2-kilometres. He added that road shoulders were later introduced into the project and work on that aspect was almost completed.

He observed: “This is a major interstate road, connecting Akwa Ibom State and Abia State and will bring about socio-economic development in these states. The completion of this project has reduced travel time and has improved security surveillance within and beyond the benefiting communities.”

Antai commended the indigenous contractor for doing a good job and executing the project according to specifications.

Earlier, the Abia State Representative on the NDDC board, Chief Eruba Dimgba, described the road as a legacy project and gave kudos to the NDDC Governing Board, led by Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, noting: “The NDDC is indeed making a difference.”

He observed that the road had been in deplorable condition for many years, leading to loss of several man-hours, with the resultant negative effects on the socio-economic activities in the area.

The Chairman, Ukwa West Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chinyere Dike, thanked the NDDC for intervening to address the long-standing issue of the unmotorable road in the area. He said: “This road is crucial for enabling people to transport goods from other communities and farms for sale. Previously, people suffered due to the poor road conditions, which slowed down economic activities. I am here to commend the NDDC for their efforts and I believe they will continue to work towards dualizing the road.