It has been revealed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) signed a performance bond with the Ministry of Niger Delta.
Now, the Commission has re-stated its commitment to completing all its on-going development projects, especially those with key impact potentials in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during an inspection of the 21-kilometre Okossi-Mfokpo Eyokan Ubodung-Etebi Road and bridges, in Okossi, Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the NDDC Executive Director (Projects), Victor Antai, said the Commission would fulfill the requirements stated in the performance bond it signed recently with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.
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The Executive Director, who was accompanied by other NDDC directors and engineers, said the road traversed three Local Government Areas, namely; Urue-Offong/Oruko, Okobo and Esit Eket in Akwa Ibom State.
Antai commended the community for appreciating the efforts of the Commission, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would continue to execute projects that would enhance the living conditions in the Niger Delta communities.
He stated: “We are here on an inspection of this project which has been on for a while now before the contractor ran into some rough waters. This important road links over 30 villages.
“With the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, every key and signature project that is ongoing in the Niger Delta region will be given urgent 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 the charge to perform very seriously, that’s why we are after completing signature projects.”
“The new agenda in the NDDC is geared towards transiting 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 to state the time frame for completion of the projects. I can assure you that this road will be completed within the tenure of the current Board.
The Executive Director, Projects also inspected the 18-kilometre Oyoku Assang – Eweme – Okiuso Road, in Mbo Local Government Area.
In his remarks, the Representative of Akwa Ibom State on the NDDC Board, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, appealed to the youths in the communities to cooperate with the contractor when he returns to site to complete the project.
He said: “We want to assure the communities in this area that this project is going to be completed within a reasonable time. But we need their support and understanding, especially the youths.”
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A community leader in Urue-Offong, Chief Benedict Ukpong, commended the NDDC Board and Management for insisting on the completion of all its projects across the region, stating: “As a community, we are strongly behind the programmes and policies of the NDDC. We want to pledge that there will be no restiveness nor encumbrances that may hamper the successful completion of this project.”
Many had lost faith in the Commission after over N6 trillion worth of projects that many did not see and a steamy forensic audit report that caused stomach aches.
A new board and management have been put in place and many wonder if it would not be business as usual.
