The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has assured leaders of Nembe Se Congress that the commission will complete the 25.7-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road in November.
NDDC’s Managing Director Mr. Nsima Ekere told a delegation of Nembe leaders, who visited the commission in Port Harcourt, that the project executed by NDDC and Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC), was almost ready.
Ekere said: “Our projection is that by November, the project will be inaugurated.
”The Ogbia-Nembe Road is important to NDDC. It is key because it is the hallmark of our partnership with Shell. We must ensure that this project is completed to serve as a flagship for other collaborations.”
The NDDC chief said besides this, the commission also partnered Ondo State to build the 50-kilometre Akodo-Araromi/Ibeju-Lekki Road, connecting Ondo and Lagos states.
Ekere said the commission was discussing with SETRACO, which is handling the Ogbia-Nembe Road, to resume as soon as possible.
“SETRACO had complained that their major concern was the weather. It doesn’t want to asphalt during the rainy season. So, it is waiting for the rains to subside before remobilising to site to complete the remaining section,” he said.
On extension of the road from Nembe to Brass, he said NDDC was hampered by funds.
“When our funding improves, we will take on the project,” he promised.
Ekere noted that NDDC has huge liabilities, with efforts to reduce the number of projects.
He added: ”We have reduced new projects in our budgets to enable us compete ongoing ones. We have tried to prioritise them to enable us deliver on more critical ones.”
Earlier, Vice Chairman of Nembe Se Congress Dr. Ebinyo Young-Dede said they were awaiting completion of the Ogbia-Nembe Road and commencement of work on the Nembe-Brass section.
Dr. Young-Dede said they were at NDDC to discuss details of making Nembe-Brass Road a reality, adding that the project will stimulate development in the remotest parts of Niger Delta.
He said the congress had maintained a persistent and constructive engagement with NDDC, resulting in the Ogbia-Nembe Road, with extensions into Ogbolomabiri and Bassambiri.
Dr. Young-Dede noted: “The Ogbia-Nembe road has reached an advanced stage and already serving communities. While we have shown our gratitude, we are also concerned that a project, contracted over 10 years ago, is yet to be completed.”
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