Tinubu Inaugurates N24b Ogbia Nembe Road As Ebie Calls For More Partnership
By; Jerome-Mario Utomi
As part of efforts to transform the Niger Delta region to a zone of peace, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday May 25, 2024, commissioned the 25.735 km Ogbia-Emakalakala-Akipelai-Etiama-Nembe road, including seven bridges that connect 14 communities such as Ogbia, Emakalakala, Akipelai, Etiama, Nembe, Bassambiri, and Ogbolomabiri. This marks his first-year anniversary in office constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission. (NDDC).
Represented by the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, at the commissioning, President Tinubu expressed regret for being unable to attend due to international engagements.
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Minister Momoh stressed on the significance of the project, stating, “This important road will alleviate many issues and hardships in the region by facilitating the free movement of goods and services. This is a project everyone would want to be associated with. The NDDC deserves a lot of commendation for this accomplishment. This demonstrates President Tinubu commitment through the release of funds.”
Engr. Momoh also mentioned the role of the National Assembly in the project, stating, “For the NDDC to initiate this project in partnership with Shell, the National Assembly must be commended for their support.”
Regarding the issue of removing the NDDC from the single treasury account, Engr. Momoh said, “We’ve moved beyond that because the President has directed the NDDC to capture all legacy projects in the nine states of the region. In the 2024 budget, a special arrangement will be put in place to execute these projects.”
Engr. Momoh thanked Shell Development Company for partnering with the NDDC, stating, “This huge project would have been difficult for any single entity to achieve alone. I encourage the IOCs and the governors of the nine states to collaborate with the NDDC to accomplish more. It is my honor and privilege to commission this project.”
On his part, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman, Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission highlighted the importance partnership and therefore, called on other International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the region to join hands with the NDDC in fulfilling other transformative projects in the Niger Delta region. He assured the people of the Niger Delta region of more impactful projects that will bring developments and foster growth in the region.