Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has sent an SOS to the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to as a matter of urgency wade into the plight of the residents of Ohanku Road in Aba to alleviate their pains.
The Governor who spoke when he received in audience the management of the Commission led by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Sen.Victor Ndoma Egba SAN, described the situation as very pathetic.
According to the Governor “Ohanku road is very very important, If you can move to Ohanku road from tomorrow, then you would have made my day”.
He lamented that Ohanku Road is in a deplorable state owing to bad contractor of the NDDC which has left the people in a difficult situation.
Dr.Ikpeazu expressed confidence that the new board would do all within its capacity to alleviate the plight of the people.
“For us we share your big picture, vision and mission and for everything that is good and right,count on us to be your partner” he assured.
He enjoined the board management to also ensure the engagement of stakeholders and youths in oil producing communities to ensure the sustainability and longevity of projects in the areas.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said the work embarked by the present board of NDDC is commendable while reminding them that the expectations of Nigerians are very high owing to the leadership cadre.
“It’s crystal clear that there seems to be a new vigour and spirit because people now see NDDC different from what it used to be” the governor stated.
He described the vision of the board as softwares for development and assured of them of full co-operation of the government and people of Abia.
The Governor urged the NNDC to focus on ensuring the enlisting of an Abians in the board and build roads that has socio-economic value to the people.
Victor Ndoma Egba,chairman, Governing Council, NDDC, said the visit was to renew confidence with stakeholders and member states of NDDC to share thoughts and ideas.
“As part of the confidence building,the NDDC is trying to open up its activities for greater scrutiny not just for stakeholders but the masses as well”, Ndoma said.
According to him the NNDC Act envisages an advisory committee made up of all the Governors of member states and two others appointed by the President.
He noted that the new board wants to do things in accordance with the law establishing the body.
Ndoma enlisted the governor as an advocate of achieving it’s dreams.
We want to change the narrative of peddling with state projects but to achieve its aim through partnership and integration of the region which is one of its core mandate.
This will be achieved with the quality and types of projects executed by the Commission.
Ndoma said that to reclaim the confidence of stakeholders and others, the commission needs to become more transparent.
The NDDC Governing Board Chairman reeled out three projects which he said is to be accomplished before the end of the present administration, these include NDDC Development bank, to assure continous and sustainable funding and quality of projects, Ring the Niger Delta region with fibre optics to enhance the creativity of the region through high Internet speed and Penetration / technological development of the region to give the children digital learning.
He sought for partnership of the state government to achieve its aim.
Ndoma called on the Governor to identify a project that will be a joint project between the government and NDDC.
He revealed that “the challenge for Abia is to have a representative in the NDDC board”, which he said would enhance effective communication with the state and the board.
Nsima Ekere,Chairman,NDDC and other members of the board were part of the delegates.
