Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has underscored the need for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to address outstanding debts owed contractors handling various projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the state, with the aim of revitalizing abandoned ones.
Governor Otti stated this, when he received a delegation led by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh and his team who were in Abia state to inspect projects executed by the NDDC
The Governor further stressed the need for the Ministry to conduct thorough monitoring and supervision of NDDC projects within the state to ensure quality standards are maintained.
He attributed the primary reason for abandoned road projects initiated by the NDDC to outstanding debts owed contractors and urged the Minister to assist in resolving the payment issues.
“Abia State is a major beneficiary of abandoned NDDC projects and there is one just around here that goes all the way to the express. The reason for abandonment was that they were being owed, since 2018.
“I am sure that the details can be provided for you to get them to come back to work.
“There are others around Umuahia, around Aba and if we can get them to come back to work I would really appreciate it, but the major issue is about payment.
“Sometimes in the past, it was like a Herculean task to get paid when handling NDDC project, so if you can look into it, you can get alot of the projects that were abandoned back to life”, Otti said.
Governor Otti who emphasized the importance of both the Niger Delta Ministry and the NDDC in serving the people, acknowledged their positive impact of infrastructure development in the region.
The Governor while appreciating the Minister for visiting Abia for the road inspection tour, expressed willingness to collaborate with the Ministry to improve the welfare of the people and enhance socio-economic development in the region.
“Any government that does not pay attention to the welfare of the people, that government is a failure, so I am happy that you are paying attention to the welfare of the people. We will give you every support that you require”, Gov Otti assured.
Earlier in his speech, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr Abubakar Momoh, informed that they were in the state to inspect projects embarked upon by the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC and expressed readiness to collaborate with Governors in the region to achieve meaningful development.
Momoh emphasized that the Ministry prioritises partnership over competition to enable them serve the people better and promote sustainable growth in the region.
He commended the Governor Otti for his giant strides in Infrastructure development and enhanced Security in the state and urged him to continue to maintain the peace, as it would play a pivotal role in guaranteeing the prosperity of state and Nigeria in general.
Some Members of the Minister’s entourage included the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Okechukwu, his Project Monitoring counterpart, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Shuaib Belgore among others.
