The Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Alabo Boma Iyaye, has appealed to stakeholders in the region to work in harmony to promote the development and well-being of the people of the Niger Delta.
Speaking during a Stakeholders Interactive Forum on the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge Project in Rivers State, Iyaye urged stakeholders to unite, set aside politics, and support the Commission’s efforts to develop Niger Delta communities. He emphasized that people’s needs should take precedence over political considerations and noted that development thrives in a peaceful environment.
Iyaye assured stakeholders that the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge Project represented a significant initiative that would transform the state. He noted that Borikiri and Okrika are vital hubs in the oil and gas industry and play crucial roles in the economic advancement of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.
Updating stakeholders on the Kaa-Ataba Bridge project, Iyaye disclosed that progress had been satisfactory, and contractors assured that vehicles would be able to pass through the bridge before the end of the year.
He explained that delays in project execution were due to the Commission not having an approved budget for the past four years. However, he highlighted that President Tinubu recognized the need for funding and approved the 2024 NDDC budget, which includes financial provisions for the completion of legacy projects.
Second from left is the Director of Finance and Administration of NDDC, Alabo Boma Iyaye, in a handshake with the Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, Okrika, King Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo (left), during a stakeholders’ interactive forum on the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge project. Third from right is the Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom, King Micah Acheseinimie Frank.
According to Iyaye: “Before proceeding with the project, we felt it was necessary to hold this interactive session, which is essential for fostering cooperation and creating a supportive environment for the contractors to ensure timely completion.
“Although this project was awarded in 2012, it has faced delays for various reasons. Upon the inauguration of the current NDDC Board, we prioritized completing this significant project, viewing it as a legacy initiative alongside the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas in Rivers State.”
In response, the Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, Okrika, King Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo, lauded the Commission for organizing the stakeholders’ engagement. He assured that communities in his domain would cooperate with the Commission to ensure the timely completion of the projects.
“We should not allow our political differences to hinder development. We assure NDDC of our support and appeal to the Commission to engage a reliable and capable contractor,” he warned.
Similarly, the Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom, King Micah Acheseinimie Frank, cautioned the community against combining politics with development, insisting on ensuring the project’s execution to the letter.
Dr. Sampson Parker, a former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, commended President Tinubu and the Commission for reviving the Okrika-Borikiri Bridge project. Speaking on behalf of other stakeholders, Parker described the bridge project as a visionary initiative and a catalyst for the socio-economic revitalization of the communities.
