• Also to dualize N47 billion Abak-Ikot Abasi East/West link road
Okon Bassey in Uyo
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will embark on a N20 billion electricity project in Akwa Ibom State, the Managing Director of the Commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has disclosed.
Ekere, who interacted with leaders and stakeholders of Oro nation consisting of five local government areas of the state in Eket senatorial district, disclosed that that commission is also handling dualisation of Abak road to Ikot Abasi to link with East-West road.
He revealed that the National Assembly Committee on Niger Delta Affairs had already approved N47 billion road dualisation work seen as another major project in the state..
Ekere said: “NDDC will carry out the dualisation of Abak road all the way to Ikot Abasi to link with the East-West road. What NDDC is trying to do is that we will take that road from where it ends in Abak, the same standard that Julius Berger constructed, all the way to the East-West road. That project will cost N47 billion.â€
According to him, the commission has also perfected plans to construct roads linking all coastal communities in the state, including Ibeno, Esit Eket, Eket and others.
The NDDC boss said the commission would give special attention to the development and well-being of oil producing communities in the state and called for the setting up of special statutory bodies to cater for the needs of oil-bearing areas in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman, Oro Think Tank, Dr. Monday Dickson, had lauded the NDDC under Ekere’s watch for the quality of roads executed in the Niger Delta region which he said was a complete departure from the past.
He said Oro has witnessed a generous allocation of road projects by the commission describing Ekere as a friend of the Oro nation.
“Oro people know their friends. We can confidently describe you as one of the few friends of Oro in the state. It is on this record that during the Oro governorship struggle of 2015, you were the only person outside Oro who made a public case for Oro governorship despite being an aspirant.
“Sir, we are elated that 2019 is around the corner. Oro people are in brakeless anxiety waiting to exercise their franchise in favour of a friend who will restore Oro to its political lost glory. We count on your understanding and support,†Dickson said.
