The Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Efiong Akwa, has assured that the re-construction of the 9-kilometres Obehie Junction to Okeikpe Road in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, will soon be completed.
Akwa, who spoke when he inspected the road in the company of other NDDC Directors, assured that several communities in the area would benefit from the project, which links Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, said that the road would have a major impact on the lives of the people, noting that when completed, the Commission would install Street Lights to enhance its value.
He praised the people of Ukwa West for their peaceful disposition, stating: “I am particularly impressed by your show of appreciation of our efforts and by the presentation of an Award of Excellence to my humble self. I dedicate the award to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, who have given me the impetus to work for the people.”
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The Interim Administrator commended the youths of Ukwa West for providing the enabling environment for the Contractor to perform to the best of his ability, thereby delivering on quality.
Akwa also commended the Contractor for doing a good job and thanked the community for appreciating the efforts of the Commission, promising that the Commission would continue to execute projects that would enhance the living conditions in the Niger Delta communities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, NDDC Abia State office, Mr. Dimgba Eruba, observed that the two roads being re-constructed by the Commission 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 of the area.
He said: “Prior to this reconstruction, getting to the NDDC office in Okeikpe from any direction was a nightmare. The roads have also been a hotspot for kidnapping, armed robbery, and other social vices.”
Eruba said further: “The roads provide some safe and preferable shortcuts for our brothers and sisters in Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states to Rivers and Bayelsa states.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Council, Chief Okey Kalu, praised the NDDC for constructing quality roads for the people of the oil-producing Local Government Area.
He remarked: “for over 20 years, this road has been in deplorable condition. But today, 3.8km of the road has been completed while work is progressing on the remaining 5.2km.”
Kalu stated that the road would increase the economic and social activities between Ukwa West people and their neighbours.
In an address, read on behalf of the Ukwa West Traditional Rulers’ Council, the Secretary, Eze Ndubuisi Ogbuji, noted that the roads were live-saving as they would bring economic and developmental projects to Ukwa West people.
They declared: “We are grateful for these two major roads, which links us to both Akwa Ibom on one hand and Rivers State on another hand. The number of deaths and economic losses experienced on the roads for more than seven years now cannot be estimated.”
