The governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to partner with stakeholders such as the Rivers state government on landmark infrastructural projects that would bring development to the people of the state and the region.
Wike was speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt, during a courtesy visit by the Acting Managing Director of the Commission, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, who was accompanied by Rivers State office Coordinator of NDDC, Mr Tekena Flag Amachree, and directors of the Commission.
He said that part of the functions of the NDDC was to assist in infrastructural development that would boost the economy and bring lasting peace to the region. He added: “You should collaborate with each state government on two major projects that would benefit our people.”
Wike advised the NDDC Boss to ensure he writes his name in gold by ensuring that he embarks on projects and programmes that would bring positive impact on the people during his tenure, saying: “The only way you would be remembered by the people of the region by the time you leave office is by the projects that touched the people of the region positively.”
Earlier in his address titled “Together, We Can Do More”, Brambaifa admitted that the challenge of developing the Niger Delta Region was herculean, but surmountable, stressing that NDDC was seeking to partner with the Rivers State Government, as well as other stakeholders, “in order to secure lasting peace, security and development in the region.”
Brambaifa disclosed that a total of 1,793 projects have been awarded by the Commission in Rivers State out of which 800 had been completed; 296 projects were yet to commence.
He disclosed that the construction of Kaa-Ataba Road and bridges valued at over N10 billion, was ongoing, adding that a committee had been set up to facilitate the completion of projects, for the benefit of the communities.
He said: “This 4.72 kilometer road with three bridges, will improve the quality of life of the people of Kaa and Ataba, as well as help in transporting farm produce, goods and properties from this rich agricultural area. Even more importantly, it will reduce accidents and security breaches associated with water transport”
Brambaifa appealed to the Governor to assist in the revival of the Commission’s Niger Delta Regional Development Masterplan (NDRDMP) and the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Forum which he said were produced by all stakeholders of the Niger Delta to bring lasting peace, security and infrastructural development to the region.
