The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated two road projects in Sapele.
The projects totalling 6.5 kilometers were inaugurated on Thursday in Sapele, headquarters of Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.
The projects were: Akporjevughe Road and environs (four kilometres) and Oghene Road and environs (2.5 kilometers).
The acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, was represented at the ceremony by Engr. Steve Ogheneare, Director, NDDC, Delta State office.
In his speech delivered by Engr Ogheneare, Audu-Ohwavborua said that the projects were in line with the mandates of the commission to bring relief to the people of the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the contract for the construction of the Akporjevughe Road and environs was awarded on June 30, 2018 while that of Oghene Road and environs was awarded on March 30, 2019.
He added that both roads were executed by an indigenous contractor, Messrs Solid FFLO Asphalt Company Nigeria Limited.
“Before the award of the project,
Akporjevughe Road, Doyan Lane, Omoire Road and Afred Jonah School Road were swampy and prone to perennial flooding and unmotorable throughout the year.
“The road cuts across eight major roads and streets with a total length of four kilometers.
“The Oghene Road which was also in a bad state prior to its award has a cumulative length of 2.5 kilometres.
“With the completion of the projects, the story has changed for residents and commuters as they now ply the roads with ease,” he said.
Audu-Ohwavborua noted that the socio-economic importance of the roads were enormous to the residents.
He added that the drains and culverts would also help channeled storms water to nearby rivers thus addressing flooding which had been a major challenge in most parts of Ogorode new road area.
“NDDC over the years has executed notable infrastructural development projects across the Niger Delta region as part of its mandate.
“Delta has a fair share of the award with a good number of completed projects and many ongoing.
“Sapele Local Government Area of Delta has benefited about 103 projects awarded while Sapele town has 63 projects awarded, many of which have been completed,” he said.
The Acting Managing Director urged the people to sustain the already existing peace in the Niger Delta to achieve meaningful development in the region.
He commended the Sapele community for creating a peaceful atmosphere to ensuring the speedy completion of the roads and others projects executed by the interventionist agency.
Audu-Ohwavborua appealed to the community leaders to ensure that the drains were kept clean always to guarantee the sustainability of the roads.
Also speaking, Mr Efe Afe, Member representing Sapele/Okpe/Uvwie Federal Constituency at the National Assembly commended the NDDC for executing great projects in his constituency.
Afe who cut the tape, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Audu-Ohwavborua as acting Managing Director/ CEO of NDDC and prayed he became the substantive MD of the Commission.
He applauded the commission for the numerous projects it had executed in Sapele Local Government Area.
“I am proud of NDDC for what it is doing in the nine states in the Niger Delta region. It is not easy but I know that with our son at the helm of affairs of the Commission, more development will come to us.
“Our prayer is that Audu-Ohwavborua should be made the substantive MD of the NDDC. When that is done more development will come to our state especially Sapele and environs,” he said.
The lawmaker appealed to the people to pray God to give the acting MD the wisdom and knowledge to execute the mandates of the interventionist agency to the letter.
Also, Mr Nathaniel Udonsuk who spoke on behalf of the Akporjevughe Road and environs landlords thanked the NDDC for the project.
Udonsuk appealed for the provision of street lights to curb the prevailing security challenges in the area.