Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is ready to kickstart the construction of the Okossi-Mbukpo Eyokan-Ubodong – Etebi Road in Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the Commission’s Executive Director of Projects, Hon. Victor Antai, has announced.
He disclosed on Thursday when he led personnel of his directorate, the Akwa Ibom State Representative in the Governing Board of NDDC, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, and others on an assessment tour of the site. According to him, the road links 30 communities and 3 local government areas of the state.
His words: “We are here on an inspection of this particular project which has been on for a while now and they ran into some rough waters. This 21km Okossi-Mfokpo Eyokan Ubodung-Erebi Road and bridges, links over 30 villages and traverses three LGAs, namely; Urue-Offong/Oruko, Okobo and Esit Eket in Akwa Ibom State. We are satisfied with the work done before the project was stalled.
“With the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, every key and signature project that is ongoing in the Niger Delta region would be given quick attention that’s why we came with the Akwa Ibom State representative on the board and four directors under the EDP of the commission. We are taking this charge very serious that’s why we are after completing signature projects.
“The new agenda in the NDDC is the trajectory movement from transaction to transformation, as such, we are committed to transforming the region. Henceforth, contractors handling our projects will sign a performance bond with the commission and a time frame will be given for completion of the projects. I can assure you that this road will be completed under the supervision of our MD/CEO, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.”
Hon. Antai expressed optimism that the project shall be completed in no distant time and thanked the people of the area for their warm disposition. Also speaking, the Commissioner representing the State in the Governing Board of NDDC, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, thumbed up the project, saying the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of the Tinubu administration is being fulfilled in Urueoffong Oruko LGA.
“We want to first of all thank the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chairman of the Board Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the Managing Director/CEO of NDDC Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for their efforts to steer the Commission in the right direction. We also have to express our gratitude to the Executive Director Projects Sir Victor Antai and his team who have deemed it fit to be here at this time.”
He added, “This is a new approach to handling projects in NDDC. We want to assure you that it will be completed within a reasonable time.” Apostle Nkono solicited the cooperation of the benefiting communities: “We solicit the support and understanding of the communities especially the youths so that the project can be executed as scheduled.”
An indigene of the area, Engineer Benedict Ukpong, who is the state representative in the National Population Commission, appreciated President Tinubu for reposing confidence in Hon. Antai as Executive Director of Projects, and Apostle Nkono as State Representative. “In this community, there’ll be no restiveness or encumbrances. This project shall succeed,” he declared. Thousands of ecstatic people from the area including Rt Hon Esio Oquong Udoh, former National Assembly member, graced the visit.
