SENATE COMMITTEE ON NDDC INSPECTS 32KM ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN AKAMKPA, BIASE, AKPABUYO.
✓ Senate panel storms Cross River, inspects 32km projects across three LGAs
✓ Ekpenyong: Roads to boost trade, access to markets, schools and healthcare
By Amawu Cletus Albert Amawu.
The Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has embarked on an oversight visit to key road reconstruction projects across Cross River State, underscoring the Commission’s renewed drive for infrastructure delivery in the region.
Leading the delegation on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Committee and Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, was joined by the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku; the Commission’s Executive Director (Projects), Obong Victor Antai; and other top management staff.
The team inspected three major projects currently executed by Messrs Faith Plant Nigeria Limited: the 20km Okomita–Uyanga–Ehom Road spanning Akamkpa and Biase LGAs; the 1.5km Idundu Junction–Idundu Bridge Road in Akpabuyo LGA; and the 10.8km Aking–Osomba Road in Akamkpa LGA.
The delegation was received by the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government, Hon Felix Akposi, alongside Hon Okon Owuna and Hon Linus Bassey, members of the Cross River State House of Assembly representing Akamkpa Constituencies 1 and 2, as well as Councillors from the host communities.
Speaking during the inspection, Senator Ekpenyong hailed the projects as critical to economic growth:
“What we are witnessing here today is a practical demonstration of the NDDC’s renewed commitment to infrastructural development in the Niger Delta. These roads are vital commodities evacuation corridors, opening up communities, boosting trade, and improving access to markets, schools, and healthcare. The 10th Senate, under the leadership of His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio, remains committed to providing the needed legislative support to ensure that these projects are completed to the highest standards.”
He further praised Governor Bassey Otu for complementing the efforts of the NDDC through state-led interventions, stressing that “the Commission must sustain its interventionist programmes across the Niger Delta States.”
Ekpenyong also commended Dr Ogbuku’s dedication, noting that “despite celebrating his 50th birthday the night before in Abuja, he resumed work barely 12 hours later here in the hinterlands of Akamkpa.”
On his part, NDDC Managing Director Dr Ogbuku reassured residents of the Commission’s determination to deliver quality projects:
“The NDDC is committed to delivering durable infrastructure that truly benefits our people. These roads will ease transportation burdens and drive socio-economic growth in Cross River State and beyond. We will continue to work with the Senate Committee and all stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely completion.”
