Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says it will partner with Chevron Nigeria Limited and other oil companies on the construction of roads and other projects in the Niger Delta region.
This is as the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has re-affirmed his commitment to complete all on-going projects in the Niger Delta region, including those in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State.
Ogbuku noted that the partnership between the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and the NDDC in the construction of the 25.7KM Ogbia-Nembe Road should be replicated for other projects.
The NDDC boss after inspecting the canalization of Oporoza creek, noted that the project would provide easy access and navigation for the communities and the oil companies operating in Gbaramatu.l
He identified Escravos as an area of special economic priority, stating that NDDC was taking steps to make it more accessible by rallying the support of stakeholders for a broad partnership that will expedite the construction and completion of the Warri-Omadino-Escravos Road.
He said, “We have reached out to Chevron Nigeria Limited and other stakeholders, seeking for partnership for the completion of this road and other projects.
“We chose the Public Private Partnership, PPP, model as an alternative source of funding for the Commission. So, we have been going about seeking funding partners to complete our current projects and also start new ones.”
The NDDC boss also paid a courtesy visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, King Oboro Gbaruan II, where he told the monarch that the 2024 NDDC budget would have inputs from all stakeholders in the region.
“In our budgeting for 2024, we told the budget committee to organise a stakeholder’s conference. The budget cannot be NDDC budget alone, it must be a budget for people of the region.”
Responding, the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu kingdom, King Oboro Gbaruan II, urged NDDC to ensure that none of its projects was abandoned, noting that non-completion of projects was responsible for the slow pace of development in the Niger Delta region.
“As traditional rulers, we are worried that development is not moving as fast as we expected. We have played our own role by ensuring that there is peace in the Niger Delta region. Having provided a peaceful environment, there should be no excuse for not developing our region.”
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