The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), at the weekend, expanded its iconic programme “Operation Light Up Niger Delta,” donating solar-powered street lights and its equipment to eight communities, spanning seven local councils in Imo State.
Performing the flag-off of the emergency procurement and installation ceremony in his office in Owerri, the Imo State Representative in the NDDC, Dr. Kyrian Uchegbu, said it was President Bola Tinubu’s policy fulfilment agenda to ensure that Imo communities received a boost by ensuring nightlife was not hindered.
Uchegbu, who listed the benefitting communities as Umuezealaku Umunkwo Community, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area; Umudurundu Community, Isiala Mbano; Prof Avenue Umuduga Layout, Owerri; Umuawam Village in Obizi Autonomous Community, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA; Toronto Junction Umuorii Road and environs, Umuoru Uratta, Owerri North LGA; Ihitte Community, Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA; Ekezeala Junction to Owerre Nkworji Junction, Isiala Mbano, Nwangele, Nkwere LGAs; and Umuokpara Obor Chioke, Umutanze Road and environs, Orlu LGA, warned the contractors to execute the installation job according to the specifications, in line with the Bill of Engineering Measurements and Evaluation (BEME), to avoid the long arms of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pointing out that the commission had recovered huge sums from some erring contractors who could not execute the contracts awarded to them.
He urged the people of the State to continue supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as it is unfair to tell people of the State to vote out a performing government in place of future unsure government, as a bird at hand is worth billions of birds in the bush.
He had kept his promise by changing the narrative in the Niger Delta communities, including the approval of the $3bn rail project traversing South-South, Southeast, and the North, urging a reciprocity of the gesture by being supportive, appreciative, and loyal to his administration, noting that the president had improved the funding capacity of the NDDC and other government agencies, including State Governments, leading to a rapid development of the region.
Uchegbu disclosed that the EFCC chairman had inaugurated a project in Bayelsa, executed by the commission, speaking on the need for the communities to take ownership of the projects in their areas by constantly supervising and reporting to the commission any contractor’s shortcomings.
The NDDC’s official disclosed that none of the contractors were paid until they completed their job, adding that the solar streetlights were for public use and not for any personal consumption, clarifying that the light equipment shall only be installed at public roads/streets, markets, churches, public schools and hospitals, monarchs’ palaces with not more than five poles.
He urged the beneficiary communities to avoid unnecessary demands to the contractors, such as “Bush Entry or Marching Ground, sit-at-home homage,” warning that any such report would lead to relocation of the project to willing communities.
