The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Wednesday announced that its N10.04bn 6.87- kilometre road and bridge project in Akwa Ibom would soon be inaugurated.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Dan Abia, who disclosed this during inspection tour of some roads and a shoreline protection project in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom, said that the project was part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive on the completion of ongoing projects in the Niger Delta.
According to him, the 6.87 kilometre Iko-Atabrikang, Akata-Opolom and Okoroutip-Iwuchang phase-one road with a 600 meter bridge was awarded in 2003 to connect the East-West road.
The President, had during the inauguration of NDDC board, charged the NDDC to complete ongoing projects before embarking on new projects.
Jonathan had said that there were too many ongoing projects across the region which needed urgent attention to justify the reason for the existence of the commission.
Abia said that the road would relieve the sufferings of motorists and boost economic activities in the surrounding communities.
“The NDDC board will work audaciously to fast track completion of projects that had been awarded by the previous boards to meet President Jonathan’s transformation agenda.
“The road and bridge will be better utilised when NDDC completes the second phase of the road project which will serve as an alternative that will further connect the Niger Delta to other regions.
“NDDC, as an interventionist agency, is sensitive and committed towards providing critical infrastructures that will improve the living standard of the people.
“The board with the support of stakeholders will do everything within its mandate to reduce infrastructure deficit in the region, and as such, lessen difficulties faced by the people,” he said.
Abia , however, said that the NDDC could not achieve its mandate of fast tracking sustainable development in the Niger Delta without the expertise and commitment of contractors.
He called on the people to support the new board and management towards achieving its mandate of actualising the Niger Delta master plan.