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Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has re-affirmed its commitment to complete all on-going projects in the Niger Delta region, including those in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Speaking after inspecting the canalization of Oporoza creek, NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the project would provide easy access and navigation for communities and oil company operating in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Projects Mr. Charles Ogunmola and other directors of the commission, assured that work on all infrastructure projects would be completed to positively impact on the lives of the people.
The NDDC inspection team also paid a courtesy visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, King Oboro Gbaruan II, at his palace in Oporoza.
Ogbuku 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 said the partnership between Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and NDDC in the construction of the 25.735-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road should be replicated for other projects.
Ogbuku told the monarch that the 2024 NDDC budget would have inputs from all major stakeholders in the region, stating: “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.”
Traditional ruler of Gbaramatu kingdom, King Oboro Gbaruan II, urged the 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.
