The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated that most of the projects it undertook were based on needs assessment.
The commission also disclosed that it is partnering with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) to facilitate the completion of the 27.1-kilometre Bonny Ring Road and Bridges in the Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, aiming to ease movement.
Meanwhile, the NDDC is set to commence its 25th anniversary celebration, billed to commence with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Ondo State.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the project delivery was in line with the mandate from President Bola Tinubu.
Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, and other Directors of the Commission, to inspect the Bonny link road, also paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, in his palace.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer informed the Bonny monarch that, beyond visiting to inspect the ring road project, the commission was in the kingdom to seek his blessings for the anniversary.
Ogbuku assured that the commission would continue to positively impact the lives of the people of the region, adding that most of the projects it embarked upon were based on needs assessment.
He stated: “We are committed to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government in the Niger Delta region. We remain dedicated to the mandate given to the NDDC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transform Nigeria’s oil-producing region.”
Ogbuku said that the commission has engaged international oil and gas companies (IOCs) to attract partnerships for large-scale projects. “We are collaborating with NLNG to facilitate the construction of the Bonny Ring Road, the Kaa-Ataba Bridge and the Okrika-Borokiri Bridge,” he stated.
“We believe that in partnership with stakeholders, we will achieve more, and development in our region will be faster and more holistic. We are not competing with any state government; we only complement their efforts.”
The managing director stated that the construction of the road would contribute to poverty reduction by positively impacting the economic growth of the host and adjoining communities.
He said, “The project is one of the legacy projects which was captured in the 2024 budget of the commission as part of the fund approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to facilitate the completion of legacy projects across the region. The president’s approval also includes the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, the Bonny Ring Road and the Okrika-Borokiri Bridge in Rivers State, among others.”
A statement by Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, noted that Ogbuku defied a heavy downpour, inspected the project in the company of some Bonny Chiefs and remarked that the ring road project would link Bonny Town with surrounding communities to complement the Bonny-Bodo Road being constructed by the Federal Government.
The Managing Director of the construction firm handling the project, Engr. Dennis Ododah, assured that the Bonny Ring Road project would be completed by the first quarter of 2027. He explained that the 27.14 km road project included 13 bridges and 26 km of concrete pavement.
Speaking earlier during a courtesy visit by the NDDC team, the Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, appreciated NDDC’s efforts and called for the speedy completion of the Bonny Ring Road.
The monarch, represented by the Chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox, urged the NDDC to ensure strict supervision of the project to prevent delays that could arise from the contractor.
