The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to recommence work on the 3.65-kilometre Borokiri-Okrika Road and its three bridges, a project that has been abandoned since 2012. This was disclosed by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Boma Iyaye, during a stakeholder engagement session held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The project, which will connect Kolabi, Abatoru, Okpoka, and other coastal communities to the Port Harcourt metropolis, has been included in the 2024 NDDC budget as part of the administration’s priority projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the forum, Iyaye remarked:
“This 3.65-kilometre Borokiri-Okrika Road and three bridges project was initiated by previous NDDC administrations in 2012. Mobilisation fees were paid, and work began, but regrettably, the project was stalled for many years. Now is the time to restart it.”
He further assured stakeholders that contractors would soon resume work on-site, with a commitment to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.
The project is expected to bring transformative benefits, including reduced travel time, enhanced local trade, and improved access to essential services for the coastal communities.
Iyaye stated:
“This road and bridges project will serve as a vital link, promoting economic growth and accessibility for the region.”
The Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, Okrika, King Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo, expressed appreciation for the NDDC’s renewed commitment. He urged residents to support the project while calling for a capable contractor to ensure its timely and quality completion.
“We must not let political differences hinder development,” the monarch advised.
Dr. Samson Parker, an indigene of Okrika and former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, also lauded the effort. He described the project as a “catalyst for socio-economic revitalization” and encouraged the communities to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, representatives of women and youth groups, and Community Development Committees from Okrika, Ogu/Bolo, and Port Harcourt.
The recommencement of the Borokiri-Okrika project reflects NDDC’s renewed focus on infrastructure development and the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta region.
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