By Archibong Jeremiah/Rolland Enya-Forte
The Chairman Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN has assured Cross Riverians and indeed all Niger Deltans that the Commission is committed to translating the vision of the President to tangible development that will impact on the lives of the citizens.
He said he was optimistic that despite the corruption that has characterized the Commission, the new leadership is poised to clean up the system and deliver on their mandate.
Speaking through his SSA Administration, Mr. Victor Abang while fielding questions from journalists at the end of a two days project inspection where a dozen projects were inspected across Cross River State, he assured that several measures have been taken to overhaul NDDC to be more productive.
“When we assumed office, we met a messy situation in the Niger Delta Development Commission. We met massive corruption on the ground.
“A lot of shortcomings were met on the ground but as we speak a lot of processes such as personnel audit to ascertain real staff and do away with ghost workers, official systems and processes review by reputable firms, are all in motion.
“The Chairman of the Board and the MD are working closely to bring back positive spirit in NDDC and a sound warning has been passed to all staff and eyes are watching.”
He further disclosed that “The budget we met that is still running now is the budget of the past administration. Ours will be drawn from needs assessment from the communities to benefit.”
He assured that when that is done with the expected passage of the 2017 appropriation by the National Assembly, they will be accelarated development in the region.
Several projects were inspected across the state by a team of five aids to the Board Chairman and some expatriates from NDDC Cross River.
The projects include:
- Okon Inok (Failed & Unmotorable sections).
- 400 meters laying of asphalts.
- 120 meters fresh construction.
- 2 culverts and 1000 meters drain.
- Awarded 2016, contractor moved to site January 2017 with work completed in march 2017.
- Twin Street/Asuquo Ekpo/Asuquo Nyong (Calabar South).
- 5 km for the three roads.
- 2 side drains, varied in width (5-6.5).
- Awarded 2013, contracted moved to site 2016 and work completed March 2017.
- Edem Effiom/Oyom guest house road (Calabar Municipality).
- Awarded 2015 and work commenced November 2016.
- 360 meters with one side drain.
- One culvert – 6.5 meters.
- Completed April 2017.
- Edem Effiom Lane (New Construction).
- Messr LTC International Ltd.
- Work started in November 2016.
- 6km.
- Drain length 2000 meters with kerbs intermittently.
- Road cleared with drains construction ongoing.
- Duration of contract is 24 months.
- Km 16 by Ikom/Calabar road by Pamol Estate.
- Contractor Dual Basol Nig Ltd.
- Awarded 29 November, 2016.
- Work yet to start. Scope includes a bye pass to temporarily reroute all traffic.
- Ugep-Akpet stretch.
- 2 KM Awarded – 3Km recommended.
- Contractor Dual Basol.
- Contractor yet to mobilize to site.
- Mkpani junction.
- Ikm drain.
- 7km.
- Contractor returning to site 24th April and to be completed by 18th May.
- Remedial work on Calabar/Ikom road.
Section 1 (Iyamoyong-Ohana/Semartech quarry in Obubra LGA).
- Contractor: Faith plant Global Intl Service Ltd.
- 2km work in final stages- asphalting.
Section 2 failed and unmotorable stretch of 4.45 km.
- Zenith construction.
- Asphalting commenced 22/04/2017.
Section 3 (Ekuri/Edondon junction/Alesi).
- Faith Plant Global.
- Contractor advised to take it section by section to get necessary value for money (50 meters patch at a time).
- Boki (Ekpogrinya-Okundi).
- Work ongoing.
- Kakwagombawop road Boki LGA.
- 2 km.
- Tomlaura NIG LTD.
- Four Corners junction- Bendeghe Ekiem road.
- 3km.
- Pearl HPW Ltd.
- Akparabong, Bendeghe Afi, Nde.
- 10 KM New construction.
- Awarded 29 November 2016.
- Completion 24 months.
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