NNPC Ltd, partners, NDDC inaugurate N24.5bn Ogbia-Nembe road
By Emmanuella Anokam
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its Joint Venture (JV) partners, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have inaugurated the 25.7km Ogbia-Nembe road in Bayelsa State.
The JV partners are Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), TotalEnergies and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, said on Tuesday in a statement that the milestone was part of activities to mark the one year anniversary of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The project, valued at N24.5billion, traverses mangrove forests with seven bridges and five culverts, connecting 14 communities.
Speaking at the inauguration in Nembe, Bayelsa, the President, represented by the Minister of the Niger Delta, Mr Abubakar Momoh, said the project aligned with the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for sustainable development in the region.
Tinubu, who described the project as an evidence of what good partnerships could bring to communities, urged other oil companies to collaborate with the NNPC Ltd. and the NDDC to deliver transformative projects.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Ltd., represented by Mr Obinna Aralu, expressed satisfaction with the completion of the road, describing it as a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision.
He said the road was more than just infrastructure as it symbolised progress, connectivity and opportunities for the Nembe people through seamless transportation, increase in economic activities and general improvement in the quality of life.
Wunti also thanked all the partners and stakeholders for their contributions to the successful delivery of the project.
The Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbor, highlighted the transformative impact of the project, stressing that it would connect communities to the city centre, boost economic activities and reduce the risks associated with river transport.
Okunbor reiterated Shell’s commitment to partnering with government agencies to deliver projects that are beneficial to the people of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission was dedicated to completing projects across the Niger Delta region that serve the urgent needs in the communities.
The Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, represented by his Deputy, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended the NDDC, NNPC Ltd and its partners for the project.
The epoch-making event was highly attended by top government officials and traditional rulers from Bayelsa, including the Senate Committee Chairman on Niger Delta, Sen. Asuquo Ekpeyong.
Others are the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta, Mr Erhiatake Ibori-Senu; Chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie; the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmund Mingi XII and the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, King Dumaro Charles Owaba III.
The completion and commissioning of the Ogbia-Nembe road marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts by the NNPC Limited and its partners to enhance infrastructure and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta region. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
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