The Niger Delta Development Commission has called on stakeholders in the Niger Delta to set aside political differences and collaborate to foster development in the region.
Speaking during the Stakeholders Interactive Forum on the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge Project in Rivers State, the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, urged residents to work in harmony to facilitate progress that would enhance the region’s socio-economic growth.
Iyaye highlighted the strategic importance of the Borikiri and Okrika areas, noting their critical roles in the oil and gas sector and their contributions to the nation’s economy. He described the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge as a vital initiative poised to stimulate economic activities in the area.
“This project, first awarded in 2012, faced several delays over the years. However, the current NDDC Board has made its completion a priority. It is part of our legacy projects, alongside the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas,” Iyaye said.
He revealed that progress on the Kaa-Ataba Bridge had reached an advanced stage, with contractors assuring that vehicles would soon be able to use it.
He also pointed out that many key NDDC projects had stalled due to the absence of an approved budget over the past four years.
“President Tinubu recognised the urgency of funding these initiatives and approved the 2024 NDDC budget, ensuring financial provisions for critical projects,” Iyaye added.
Emphasising the importance of unity, Iyaye said development flourishes in a peaceful environment. “We organised this forum to foster collaboration and create a conducive atmosphere for contractors to complete the project on schedule,” he noted.
In a goodwill message, the Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, King Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo, pledged the support of his community and urged stakeholders to avoid letting political differences derail the region’s progress. Similarly, the Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom, King Micah Acheseinimie Frank, advised against mixing politics with development and promised to ensure the project’s execution.
Dr. Sampson Parker, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Health, commended President Tinubu and the NDDC for reviving the bridge project, describing it as a catalyst for economic revitalisation. “This project aligns with the Renewed Hope initiative of President Tinubu, and we must all support its successful implementation,” Parker said.
The forum underscored a collective commitment to overcoming challenges and driving transformative development in the Niger Delta.
