The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has officially flagged off the construction of the long-abandoned 3.3-kilometre Iyalu–Iberenta–Ọrọ-Ibere Autonomous Community road in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
The project also covers remediation works at two major gully erosion sites in Iyalu and Iberenta communities.
Speaking at the flag-off on Friday last week, the NDDC Commissioner representing Abia State, Chief Eruba Dimgba, assured that the intervention would not be abandoned midway. He emphasized that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Commission has continued to enjoy the necessary support to deliver projects across the Niger Delta.
Chief Dimgba further urged the host communities to cooperate with the contractor and avoid acts of sabotage, stressing that any complaint about poor execution should be reported to the Abia State NDDC office at Okeikpe, Ukwa West LGA. He commended President Tinubu and the National Assembly for providing resources that have enabled the NDDC to carry out its mandate.
The contractor, Sir Ako Obioma, CEO of Worldwide Environmental Technology Ltd. and Chairman of Akubaraoha Foundation, disclosed that work on the 3.3km road would commence in mid-October. He pledged to deliver a high-quality project and sought the support of all stakeholders.
Community leaders, including the traditional ruler of Ọrọ-Ibere Autonomous Community, Eze Dr. Stanley Ijenwa, the President-General of Ọrọ-Ibere National Development Union, Dr. Green Nwaoaha, and the President-General of Iberenta Development Union Federated, Bishop Ozuh Uchechi Prince, welcomed the project. They described the road as vital to the area, noting that decades of erosion and poor access had left their people in hardship despite the community’s role as a major food basket of Abia State.
Also, representatives of women and youth groups—Mrs. Ann Ogbuehi, Mrs. Fortune Emeh, and Engr. Don Onyegbula—expressed joy over the project, saying it would ease the evacuation of farm produce to markets. They prayed for the NDDC and the contractor’s success.
The flag-off ceremony was graced by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Hon. Lucky Awuwa; Director of Abia State NDDC Office, Dr. Anderson Ukeh; Chief Chinedu Kalu; Sir Sylvanus Madu; and Mr. Lucky Mpama, among others.
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