Richard Romanus|6 April 2017
First and foremost, I like to commend the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Chairmanship of our very own Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma Egba SAN for ensuring the commencement of several emergency Road repairs intervention project in all the Nine States of the region with Cross River been a major beneficiary.
A breakdown of the achievements of the new NDDC board in just 5 months in office especially in Cross River shows a dedicated and highly responsible board that is ready to change the negative perceptions Nigerians hitherto have about the NDDC.
Like I wrote some time ago in an article I titled 'NDDC Chairmanship and the challenge before Senator Victor Ndoma Egba SAN' published on the 6th of August 2016, the appointment of the three time Senator by Mr President was apt and commendable considering his reputation as one of the few Nigerians who go out of their way in ensuring that things are done properly in any office they occupy while valuable impacts are also left behind.
However, a critical look at the proposed NDDC projects to be carried out in the coming weeks and months by the Commission in Cross River State shows that Obubra Local Government Area was completely left out. In my quest to know why, considering the fact that, it is among the few LGAs that truly and urgently needs some major intervention especially in the areas of road/bridges construction, reconstruction and renovation of schools and health care facilities etc, I drew the attention of a respected leader from that LGA who is also a close ally and aide to the Commission's Chairman who explained that, the proposed projects where done long before the present board was inaugurated but assured that, under the new board, they will be even distribution of projects.
One of the major project that must be captured in the incoming phase of projects to be carried out, is the reconstruction of Government Primary School Arobom in Ababene Community. The reconstruction of the School which was one of the buildings that was affected in the recent war between Ababene community and the Iyamitet People will not only ensure a conducive environment for learning for pupils but will to a large extend douse all sort of provocation that may ensue as a result of lack of a conducive learning environment.
The construction of Ovukwa Road and the Yala/Nkum Road is one major project the commission must also consider. This is because of the untold hardship the dilapidated state of the road has brought to residents of the Communities especially during wet seasons. The construction of the road will not only ease movement in and out of these communities but will also reduce the stress the villagers go through in terms of transportation in an attempt to market their farm produce.
The provision of a health post for the people of Oderegha is another major project the NDDC board must passionately consider. This is because of the several deaths that has been recorded due to the unavailability of a good medical facility people can easily access in critical situations.
The construction of roads in Obubra village,the provision of Solar power Street light for villages like Iyamitet, Iyamoyong, Ohana, Ebo among others won't be too much to ask for from the board of NDDC afterall Change has come.
Richard Romanus.
