Today's Commissiong of Ogbia/Nembe Road Is A Means Of Sober Reflection : Ogbuku

 

 

Samuel Ogbuku the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission has disclosed that the commissiong of the Ogbia/Nembe 25.7 Kilometer Road was a means of sober reflection of how his people have suffered  because of lack of access roads adding that the number of lives that were lost in boat mishaps and through other means were too much.

Speaking in Bayelsa at the weekend in Ogbia, the MD said that the road which was initiated by Shell Petroleum Development Company is  connecting fourteen riverine communities of Ogbia and Nembe.

  

According to the Managing Director, the single carriage road project which began in 2013 and designed to connect Opume, Emakalakala, Akipelai, Etiama, Ogbolomabiri, Bassambiri to other communities in the area cost about N24.5 billion and has 53 culverts and seven bridges. 

Ogbuku said "The construction of fourteen bridges, 53 culverts, and four  spurs has not only enhanced connectivity but also opened up new opportunities for economic growth and improved quality of life. Traders and business owners can now conduct their activities seamlessly, paving the way for prosperity in the region.

"Today, as we commission the Ogbia-Nembe roads and bridges in Bayelsa State, we reaffirm our dedication to completing vital infrastructure projects for the betterment of our communities. Together, we can build a brighter future for the Niger Delta region."

Speaking earlier, the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu  assured the people of Niger Delta Region that he will do everything possible to make sure that the region gets more infrastructural development during his time as the president of the country.

 

 The president represented by Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Niger Delta Development. said that he was very passionate about increasing the infrastructural slots of the region adding that with the commissioning of the Ogbai/Nembe Road, succor has come to the people of the various communities and Bayelsa State at large.

 

Momoh  however beckoned on the governors of Niger Delta Region, the Oil Companies operating in the region and all the relevant stakeholders to partner together to ensure that more infrastructural development comes to the area.

 

He said “President Bola Tinubu is very passionate about increasing the infrastructural slots of the country especially on  road construction because of its capacity to promote economic growth and development. With the construction of  Ogbia/Nembe Road and with that of Lagos /Calabar linking up, there will be a lot of economic activities in this region.

 

 “That doesn’t mean that the East West Road has been abandoned, that road will also be completed in a short time.I make bold to say that succor has finally come to the people of this area.

 

Advising the locals, he said “Now that the government has done its own part, it is the responsibility of the communities to ensure the maintenance of this road. Let  there not  be indiscriminate cutting of the road so that this road can last for long and serve the people of this region.

 

"I extend my heartfelt commendation to the NDDC, SPDC, and all our esteemed partners for their invaluable contributions to this project. Their collaboration exemplifies the power of effective partnerships in advancing the well-being of our people. The inauguration of this project underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's steadfast dedication to sustainable development, peace, and security in Nigeria.

"The completion of the 27.5-kilometer Ogbia-Nembe road and bridges project promises to catalyze economic growth in the region and enhance the quality of life for residents. I urge other International Oil Companies to join hands with the NDDC in fulfilling other transformative projects in the Niger Delta region.”

" I want to enjoin the Niger Delta Governors to partner with NDDC. I  also call on other IOCs to NDDC to do more in the region. With the passage of 2024 budget, in a matter of a year, you will see enormous projects of NDDC in the region.

 

Also speaking, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State representing Governor Diri Douye expressing is displeasure that the state government wasn’t commended by anybody for its contribution disclosed that Bayelsa State Government through Henry Seriake Dickson in 2013 contributed N3 Billion Naira which saw to the continuation of the project.

He however thanked the various communities for their commitments in making sure that project came to a fruitful completion.

 

 

 Ewhrudjakpo said “ I believe that there are some histories that are deliberately being misinterpreted or misrepresented and I stand in  the gap today as an intercessor of Bayelsa State Government to correct those erroneous impressions being created.

 

 “No doubt, it was a partnership between hell, NDDC and its partners and so this project was stalled in 2007 and it remained stalled until 2013 when Dickson became the Governor of this state and Bayelsa State Government donated 3billion naira then to restart the project. That is no told here and it is not a  fair representation. It was that restarting that led to the completion of this project.

 

 “I want to thank the Nembe and Ogbia communities for listening to the voice of counsel that came from Dickson then and I want to  thank Shell.

 

 “The continuous relationship between us Shell and NDDC  will not end  in this project. There are still other projects so we invite the NDDC to meet us on the  Okaba/Okodi Road, continuation of Nembe/Brass Road, Ekeremor /Aggey Road, Opume /Okoloba Road, Otuasegha/Oluasiri Road.

 

Please come let us meet and produce good fruits. Collaboration is very key. If we collaborate, a long journey become a shorter one. It is healthy to compete but very healthier to complement.

 Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. (SPDC) in his remarks  said  that the road was an initiative that underscores the importance of giving back to the community and the Niger Delta Region as a whole, signifying how collective achievements can be possible when people unite towards development. 

 "This project serves as a signature initiative that underscores the importance of giving back to the community and the Niger Delta Region as a whole. It stands as a symbol of the collective achievements possible when we unite towards the development of our people.

"The Shell Petroleum Development Company remains committed to contributing to the sustainable development of the region. The newly commissioned Ogbia-Nembe roads/bridges will bring immense benefits to commuters and local businesses."

In his remark, Chief Timi Alaibe, the Former Managing Director of NDDC "the partnership between NDDC and SPDC has yielded tremendous results, showcasing the splendid synergy between the two organisations..

"Numerous attempts were made in various forms to construct the road, with different proposals for the route, design, and alignment.

"I would like to commend the residents of the Ogbia-Nembe community, especially led by Professor E.J. Alagoa and Professor Gbenedio, for their significant role as a driving force behind this project.

"The collaboration of the community cannot be overstated, as the benefits of this infrastructure development extend to the entire population of Ogbia-Nembe and the broader Niger Delta region."