The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, has inaugurated an office complex of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and an 8.137km road network across Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, Cross River State.
He also flagged off the first phase of the distribution of handheld tiller machines to local farmers in the state.
A statement by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, on Friday, said the projects were commissioned on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Momoh said the projects were part of the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing development in the Niger Delta region under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
‘The NDDC is setting a new standard of performance in the region. I urge other development commissions to emulate this model to deliver real results to the people’, he stated.
Momoh appealed to governors in the region to continue collaborating with the NDDC to ensure sustainable development in their respective states.
Representing the state governor, Bassey Otu at the event, Cross Rivers Commissioner for Works, Ankpo Pius, commended the Federal Government and NDDC for their efforts, while urging the adoption of newer road construction technologies suitable for the Niger Delta’s unique terrain.
Also speaking, the NDDC Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said the road projects underscored the Tinubu administration’s resolve to transform the oil-producing region.
On his part, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the event was another milestone in the commission’s ‘Dividends of Renewed Hope’ initiative.
In his technical brief, NDDC’s Executive Director of Projects, Victor Antai, described the inaugurated road network as a critical infrastructure that would improve livelihoods and ease mobility for residents.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s performance and pledged further legislative support.
