From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The new management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has promised to complete all abandoned projects started by the previous leadership of the Commission in Abia and other areas.
New Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku made the promise in Abia State, during the commissioning of an Aquaculture Training Centre, built by NDDC at Umuntu, Olokoro in Umuahia South Local Government Area.
Ogbuku said it was for the reason of completing numerous abandoned projects by NDDC, that the Commission reduced hand in the award of new contracts.
He disclosed that the project at Olokoro, started by the Commission in 2013, was one of the abandoned projects his administration believed would add value to the people of the area and completed.
“All the projects NDDC started will not be abandoned, we will complete them. We will reduce the award of new projects to ensure old ones are completed.”
The NDDC MD/CEO said agriculture was the only sustainable means of empowering youths of the country to which President Bola Tinubu was vigorously pursuing.
Reeling out benefits of the project, Ogbuku said it will serve as capacity building for both the benefitting communities in Abia State and beyond.
“It will create more job opportunities; it will increase commercial/economic activity within the host community and environs as it will attract various vendors.
“The presence of the Aquaculture training centre will promote infrastructural development, thereby increasing the value of properties within the Olokoro community”, Ogbuku added.
The project built at the cost of N245m, consists of 8 fish housing tanks (fish ponds), 2 Hatcheries, 2 lecture blocks (consisting of 2 halls each) and a 6-room staff quarters.
Others are a 4-room office block, a generator house, a power generating set and 8 units of solar powered street light and a water supply system.