MD, NDDC, DR. SAMUEL OGBUKU AND EDFA, RTD. MAJOR GEN. CHARLES AIRHIAVBERE
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku says three point six-five kilometre Okrika-Borokiri link road with three bridges will be completed within two years.
Dr. Ogbuku who made this known during an interactive with journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Marine Base Port Harcourt Rivers State, expressed optimism that the project with initial value of sixteen point seven billion naira would boost economic activities in adjourning communities.
The interactive provided a platform for the Managing Director and journalists to rob minds on the activities of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC since the new management assumed office.
Reeling out various programmes already embarked upon and the ones in the offing, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku told newsmen that part of legacy projects to be executed in parts of the region would be the construction of Okrika Borokiri road which would run through the creeks connecting about three communities along the coast line.
Dr. Ogbuku who gave assurance that the project would be completed within two years noted that management has decided to take up projects that could be completed within a specific period to guard against abandonment of projects.
While responding to a question on the plans of management towards perennial flooding issues ravaging the region, the Managing Director explained that the commission has mapped out immediate and permanent approaches to the challenge.
SA MEDIA, WILLIE ETIM AND TONY OMAH
On the permanent approach according to the MD, a consultant has been engaged to design a dam in Niger Delta region tagged converting liability to assets with the intention for it to be used for electric power generation apart from serving as an antidote to flooding.
While on the interim, transit camps would be built in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states with facilities such as schools and health care where displaced people would put up during peak time.
The Chief Executive Officer of NDDC who acknowledged backlog of arrears owed contractors, stated that a payment plan has been put in place to offset the outstandings and pleaded with contracts to exercise patience with the commission since it cannot exceed a certain threshold per time.
While emphasizing human capital development, the NDDC boss who expressed confidence that one of the newly launched programmes called PROJECT HOPE would provide an opportunity for youths of Niger Delta region to be captured in a database from where selection would be made for training.
The MD said that a lot of improvement has been made on staff welfare and administration of the commission.
