Rural communities in Ibaa and Obelle in Emuohua Local Council of Rivers State were thrown into excitement after the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) built and donated an ultra-modern market to them.
The project is targeted at enhancing commerce and development in the communities. The state’s NDDC representative, Tony Okocha, who initiated and implemented the project, said the decision to build the market was inspired by a visit he made to the communities in 2024. He said he was moved with compassion after witnessing women trading in makeshift and shrine-like stalls.
This experience, he noted, ignited a move in him to ensure the construction of a befitting market for the communities.
Okocha noted that the project was made possible by President Bola Tinubu through funding of the NDDC and urged the people to unite and support the President.
He lauded the contractors for delivering the project on schedule and the communities for their support throughout the construction period. He said: “I encourage all of you to work together to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If he didn’t give us the opportunity, we wouldn’t be here. What we are doing here is not our personal money. The President gave us the opportunity through the Seventh Board of the NDDC. The money we have put in here is from the Federal Government under the Niger Delta Development Commission as mandated by the President,” Okocha added.
He, therefore, advised the people not to be swayed by the wave of the coalition happening in the political space, stating that Tinubu is delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians and deserves more time.
He alleged that those forming a coalition against Tinubu’s 2027 bid are individuals that are angry with his economic policies, saying: “A man only being in power for two years and you are saying you want him out, how? Will you allow a man who is delivering on the dividends of democracy to go?”
While inaugurating the project, the member, representing Delta State on the board, Monday Igbuyia, who represented the Chairman of the Governing Board of the NDDC, Chiedu Ebie, emphasised that President Tinubu has touched the communities through the project.
He further advised the people to be meticulous while allocating the shops to traders to avoid throwing the people into crisis.
“The President cannot touch everybody but through this project, he has touched everybody. The paramount ruler of Ibaa/Obelle, Dr Wobodo Jonah, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for the kind gesture.
He said the market, which consists of a storey building housing 20 lock-up stores and 126 open shops, alongside other facilities, would enhance commerce in the communities.
