TheCable

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will prioritise the completion of 953 abandoned projects in Rivers state.

Tony Okocha, Rivers’ representative on the NDDC board spoke on Tuesday during an interactive session with some traditional rulers in the state.

Okocha, who is also the  chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caretaker committee in Rivers, said the purpose of the meeting was to seek guidance and blessings of the royal fathers, and to discuss the way forward for the completion of the abandoned projects in the state.

“In my study, it was clear to me that Rivers is number two, in terms of states that have abandoned projects,” Okocha said.

“Our state has 953 abandoned NDDC projects.

“These projects are dotted in the nooks and crannies of the state.

“We thought we could open up this interaction to ask ourselves and, indeed, ask our fathers, what happened because what happened was before we came.

“We are barely two months old. So, what happened? Why are these projects uncompleted?”

Okocha noted that some of the projects were neglected due to the nature of the NDDC board membership.

“One of the things that had bedeviled this developmental stride is the inconsistency of government,” he added.

“Three months down the line, a board is set up and after three months, the same board is dissolved.

“Within the period they existed, they would have awarded contracts to people.

“Sometimes, people take their own money, go to the field and don’t get their monies paid.”

Okocha assured that the present board led by Samuel Ogbuku, would put in efforts to change the negative trajectory about the commission.

“We have started the process of change, which also conforms with the President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for Nigeria,” Okocha added.

Okocha promised to supervise projects that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people, promote education and improve the healthcare of Rivers people.

On his part, Chidi Awuse, the chairman, Rivers state council of traditional rulers and traditional ruler of Emohua community, commended the president for the quality of people he appointed into the board.

Awuse described the meeting as “the first of its kind to the council since the inception of NDDC”.

He thanked Okocha and his team for the show of respect and recognition to the council, saying that God would aid him to succeed in office.