MD, NDDC, DR. SAMUEL OGBUKU AND OTHERS
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
The Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku says management is committed to the completion of projects in Gbaramatu kingdom and other parts of Delta State.
Dr. Ogbuku who made the commitment during a working visit to Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom Warri South West Local Government Area and courtesy visit to the monarch, His Royal Majesty King Oboro Gbaruan the second, maintained that the projects in the area would be completed to improve social and economic activities in the communities
The journey to Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom and Escravos an oil hub, through the swampy creeks in-between the mangroves on speed boats, was a pointer to the determination of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, to take development to the hinterlands.
The Escravos with large oil deposits and host to International Oil companies is an access route into the deep sea enhancing crude oil activities.
Addressing the paramount ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom and the palace chiefs, the Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who expressed displeasure over challenges posed by the terrain, gave assurance that uncompleted projects in the locality such as canalisation of Oporoza creeks, shoreline protection, land reclamation among others, would be given needed attention.
Dr. Ogbuku who told the people that NDDC was exploring Public Private Partnership, PPP options, to create access road from Warri to Escravos, noted that inadequate budgetary allocation was one of the causes of abandonment of projects
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On his part, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Ogboro Gbaruan the Second, while applauding NDDC for their efforts in developing the region, requested that some unfinished projects in the community be completed to improve the living standard of the residents.
King Gbaruan the second encouraged NDDC to do more in project monitoring and supervision to reduce abandonment of projects.
The Oporoza monarch who pleaded that more projects be cited in the community, stated that steps have been taken to guarantee enabling environment for oil production to thrive in the area.
Some of the projects inspected were, ongoing NDDC Delta State Office, shoreline protection, Ogborodo internal roads Escravos, among others.
