Senate committee, NDDC Inspect roads rehabilitation in C’River

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

The Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), led by its Chairman and Senator representing Cross River South, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, has embarked on an oversight visit to the Okom Ita–Uyanga–Ehom road rehabilitation project in Akamkpa Local Government Area. 

The delegation, which included the Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, assured residents of speedy intervention on the strategic road corridor.

Receiving the joint team at his office before the field inspection, the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council,. (Ophot) Felix Akposi KSJI, expressed appreciation to the federal and state authorities for their swift response to the plight of road users and local communities. 

He applauded governor, Bassey Edet Otu for his proactive action upon receiving petitions on the deplorable state of the road, and further assured the contractor, Faith plant Global, of maximum cooperation and security.

“The job you want to do covers Akamkpa I and II, hence, the assurances I am giving to you here will be replicated in Akamkpa II. No one will harass your workers or touch your materials. 

We have been praying for this day, and if we have it like it’s happening now, we won’t want anything or anyone to jeopardize it,” Akposi pledged.

In his remarks, Senator Ekpenyong praised Governor Otu’s infrastructural drive and commended the partnership between Cross River State and the NDDC in addressing critical road infrastructure. 

He noted that the intervention followed petitions by the Akamkpa Council Chairman and other stakeholders, stressing that the road’s rehabilitation was not only urgent but essential for easing the suffering of commuters and stimulating economic activities.

“What we are doing today is a direct response to the demand of the Governor for the NDDC to immediately intervene on this road, after a petition from the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, my office, the Senate Committee on NDDC, and the FERMA member representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency. 

The contractor, FaithPlant Global, understands the terrain and the pains of our people, and we are confident of quality delivery,” the Senator affirmed.

Speaking on the importance of the project, Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, emphasized that the Commission remains committed to its interventionist mandate. 

He described the Okom Ita–Uyanga–Ehom road as an economic artery linking several communities and states, with strong implications for the movement of key construction materials such as granite and cement. 

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He added that the adjoining Calabar–Oban–Ekang flank, which extends to an international border, would also benefit from ongoing rehabilitation works.

The team later inspected the Calabar–Oban–Ekang border road, reiterating assurances of timely completion. Among those who joined the inspection were (Ntufam) Okon Nyong Owuna, member representing Akamkpa I in the Cross River State House of Assembly;

Also, Linus Etim, member representing Akamkpa II; the member representing Biase State Constituency; the ten Wards Councillors of Akamkpa 8th Assembly led by the leader, Magdalene Asuquo, the MD of Faith plant Global, Evang. Michael Asuquo as well as other state and local government officials, appointees, and critical stakeholders.