The Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, has expressed concern over the false narratives regarding the recently commissioned road projects in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
Speaking during the NDDC@25 celebration and commissioning of projects held in Bayelsa State, Ebie cautioned against politicising developmental efforts, describing such actions as counterproductive to the progress of the Niger Delta region.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ebie stated that all NDDC projects, including those in Calabar, adhered to due process from procurement to execution. He lauded the contractors and commission staff for maintaining high standards of professionalism and compliance with regulatory procedures. He said the NDDC executed the projects.
This clarification comes in response to claims made by the NDDC Board member representing Cross River State, Orok Duke, who had alleged that the Calabar projects neither followed due process nor were executed by the NDDC.
Ebie dismissed these assertions as misleading and urged stakeholders to focus on facts and support the commission’s efforts to deliver quality infrastructure and sustainable development across the Niger Delta.
The agency’s response follows the disruption of the commissioning of the Idang and Nyangshang Road, orchestrated by state and local government officials.
Beyond the procurement controversy, the commission also responded to the incident involving the disruption of the project commissioning ceremonies in Calabar.
According to eyewitness accounts, the venues prepared for the inauguration of the roads were disrupted by individuals alleged to be acting on the directive of certain state and local government officials.
Billboards bearing the image of President Bola Tinubu were reportedly torn down, while heavy-duty equipment was used to block access to the commissioning site.
The agency has condemned the disruption in strong terms, calling it not only a show of disrespect to federal authority, but an affront to the government’s commitment to delivering impactful projects to the Niger Delta.
