As part of his administration’s one-year anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the 27.35km Ogbia-Nembe road in Bayelsa State, a joint project of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration Company.
The road, which features 7 bridges, connects 14 communities in both the Ogbia and Nembe Local Government Areas. During the commissioning ceremony, representatives of President Tinubu and the Minister of Niger-Delta Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, praised the project as a testament to the president’s renewed commitment to the growth and development of the Niger-Delta region.
“The president is committed to the development of the Niger-Delta region, and if he was not committed, the outstanding funds owed to contractors would not have been paid, and this project would not have been completed,” Minister Momoh stated.
The Managing-Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbukuechoed this sentiment, noting that the commission of the project was part of a performance bond, and when one is tied to a performance bond, there is no option but to perform.
“We thank God for the President who is committed to the development of the Niger-Delta, and the Minister who has been working tirelessly to motivate and encourage the commission,” the NDDC MD said.
Osagie Osunboh, the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, also praised the collaborative efforts that made the project possible, stating that it underlines the importance of giving back to the community through social investment.
Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, used the occasion to call for the development of other major infrastructure projects in the region, including the Ekeremor-Agge road and the Nembe-Brass road.
“With the success of this road, it is time to start looking at other big-ticket projects that require collaboration between NDDC, Shell, AITEO, Agip, and the Federal Government,” the senator said.
President Tinubu’s commissioning of the Ogbia-Nembe road marks a significant milestone in his administration’s efforts to address the longstanding infrastructure challenges in the Niger-Delta region, and his assurance of continued commitment to the area’s development has been widely welcomed by local communities and stakeholders.
