The management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has kicked off the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt – Owerri Road.
The road which is one of the major arteries between the South-South and South-East geo-political zones connects the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt with the Imo State capital, Owerri.
In order to ascertain the pace of work which targets the failed sections of the road, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has embarked on an inspection of the work.
Speaking at one of the failed sections between Umuapu and Umuagwo in Imo State, Ogbuku stated that the road’s deplorable state necessitated the emergency measures the NDDC took to restore it and make it motorable immediately.
Accompanied by some top officials of the commission, the NDDC boss was given an on-site briefing by the engineers of the construction firm handling the emergency rehabilitation.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the directive for the urgent restoration of the failed sections of strategic roads in the Niger Delta region.
A statement signed by NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama quoted Ogbuku saying that the decision to repair the road was based on Mr. President’s directive.
His words: “Following a presidential directive to intervene urgently to restore the dilapidated sections of regional roads, the NDDC has quickly mobilised construction companies to carry out remedial works to ensure that the people do not suffer unnecessary pains while travelling”.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, Ogbuku commended the Federal Government for promptly responding to people’s outcries to rehabilitate bad roads in the Niger Delta region.
He expressed confidence that the restoration work at the Port Harcourt – Owerri Road would stand the test of time when completed.
“As an interventionist agency, we will continue to complement the efforts of both the Federal and State Governments by taking measures to ease the stress commuters face daily”, he added.
Ogbuku said he was satisfied with the quality of the job and commended the contractor for being ready to see it completed.
He enjoined members of the various communities and commuters to show understanding during construction, as the commission was prepared to complete the project as quickly as possible.
One of the commercial bus drivers using the road, Mr. Kinsley Okorigwe, thanked the NDDC for responding on time to the distress calls of commuters bearing the pains of the damaged road.
