The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has urged stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to set aside political differences because of the need to unite in support of developmental efforts aimed at transforming their communities. This appeal was made by Alabo Boma Iyaye, NDDC’s Executive Director for Finance and Administration, during a stakeholders’ interactive forum held in Port Harcourt on the Borokiri-Okrika Bridge Project. He highlighted that the collective focus on progress rather than politics would drive meaningful change and enhance the quality of life for the region’s people.
Iyaye explained that the Borokiri-Okrika Bridge represents a critical infrastructure project with far-reaching implications for economic growth and social development. Borokiri and Okrika, known for their pivotal roles in the oil and gas industry, are strategic economic hubs, and improved connectivity between them would bolster trade, investment, and regional integration. However, despite being awarded in 2012, the project faced numerous delays due to funding and administrative challenges. Iyaye attributed these setbacks to the absence of an approved NDDC budget for four years, a situation that changed with President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the 2024 budget, which now provides financial backing for the project’s completion.
The call for stakeholders to shun politics stems from the realization that political conflicts often undermine development. Iyaye emphasized that prioritizing community needs over partisan interests creates a conducive atmosphere for contractors to work efficiently and ensures that projects are delivered on time. Development flourishes in a peaceful and cooperative environment, where all parties share a common vision of progress. He stressed that focusing on political rivalries diverts attention from urgent infrastructure needs, delaying projects that could significantly improve living standards.
In support of this view, the Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, King Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo, commended NDDC for engaging with stakeholders and pledged the cooperation of his community to ensure the project’s timely completion. He urged stakeholders to avoid politicizing development initiatives and instead collaborate with reliable contractors for sustainable progress. Similarly, Dr. Sampson Parker, former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, lauded President Tinubu’s leadership and NDDC’s renewed commitment under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasizing that the bridge project aligns with the administration’s "Renewed Hope" agenda aimed at revitalizing socio-economic activities.
By putting political differences aside, stakeholders can harness the region’s potential for growth and prosperity. Developmental projects like the Borokiri-Okrika Bridge provide opportunities to enhance transportation networks, stimulate local economies, and improve the overall quality of life. Therefore, the NDDC’s appeal for unity is a strategic call to action, reminding stakeholders that the real beneficiaries of a cooperative approach to governance and development are the people of the Niger Delta.
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