By Doris Oliver
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Senate President on Tuesdays, 28th May,2024, commissioned a 600-meter bridge and a 6.87 kilometer road project on a mangrove swamped area by Niger Delta Development Commission .
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu who was represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio made the commendation on 28th of May, 2024 during the official Commissioning of Iko- Atabrikang – Akata -Opolom- Okoroutip- Iwuochang link Road with 600 meters Cambered bridge phase one and flagging off the phase two of the same project.
Akpabio, who was excited over the completion of the project, which has always been the vision behind President Ahmed Bola Tinubu ‘s “Rebuild Hope Agenda,” which is to avail basic necessities and amenities for Nigerians.
The Senate President said, ” This is the first NDDC Management Board to be united and execute project for the people of Niger Delta under one year in office having been able to connect five local government in Ondo state to the national grid and by commissioning of the sub station in Ode- Erinje in Okitipupa in Ondo State which would serve 64 communities .”
Senator Godswill Akpabio maintain that this is the first time NDDC is impacting the lives of Niger Delta people. In his words, ” This is Niger Delta , look at the swampy soil, oil on the ground. It will cost five times the amount of five kilometer roads in Abuja to have the same in Niger Delta , one has to sand fill to eract any structure.”
The Senate President reiterated that the President said, ” I should congratulate the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Viche Resources Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Roudo Construction Ltd Chief Tony Chukwu who undertook this venture. The project did not start with them , but i thank God it is being completed by them. if they hadn’t undertaken the project, it would have still remained an abandoned project to date, as it has been there for nineteen (19)years.”
He pointed out that the Senate at plenary have moved a motion to look into over (14,000) fourteen thousand abandoned project in Nigeria, ” just like me , President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you are undertaking and completing projects that were started by previous administrations but were abandoned “.
” Because of you, we are here today , saying kudos to Viche Resources Nigeria Limited and management of NDDC.”
Furthermore, Senator Godswill Akpabio highlighted the scope and benefits of the bridge and road , saying ” the road is 6.87km, 2 lane Single carriage way with asphalt surface , the 600m span RC Bridge has side drain”.
” that over twenty (20) Communities separated by the Qua Ibo River in Ibeno clan are now linked by the 600m span bridge executed , this road and bridge will facilitate trade and other economic activities amongst the communities within the road alignment . This is indeed a monumental feat that will make trade , economic activities, exchange of ideas, and education to now flourish in Akwa Ibom State. “
The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom His Excellency Umo Bassey Eno who spoke through the Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi stated that “The road is an important road because it connects various communities and by commissioning this road, NDDC have added value to the economic activities and have strengthen working relationship within the people.”
She, however, hailed NDDC by saying ” This project is a major achievement of the commission and we commend Tony Chukwu, I believe strongly that the project will signal the beginning of a relationship between NDDC and Akwa Ibom State government while we look forward to other phases of the project “.
She maintained that” We are on the same page of development in Akwa Ibom State, that is to support the policies of the Federal Government.As this administration is highly committed to the development of infrastructure that accounts why our first year in office is mount with commissioning of different projects across the state including major economical viable roads”.
Speaking, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who is the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, expressed happiness following the completion of the first phase of the project. As he stated that the project will serve ( 20) twenty communities that are oil producing communities emphasizing that these communities were disjointed but the with the bridge and road construction, the communities can easily access themselves which would lead to increase in economic activities.
The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku in his Speech, stressed that NDDC have made lots of difference in the Niger Delta Region, noting that from 2001 NDDC has undertaken projects in roads, Bridges, water supply, rural and urban electrification, shore protection, jetties and land reclamation etc. He added that NDDC is mandated to tackle the existing infrastructural gaps in the Niger Delta
Dr Ogbuku who commended the Contractor, Chief Tony Chukwu and his Firm, Viche Resources Nigeria Limited for a job well done in the phase one of the project, as he insist that NDDC under his leadership would work with the vision of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Section one of the Iko- Atabrikang-Akata- Opolom- Okoroutip- Iwuochang Road has been completed as Section 11 of the project has also commenced
