Gov. Uzodimma Salutes NDDC Board, Commends Ozigbu Over 7.8Km Reconstructed Ekezeala-Abba-Owerre-Nkworji Road

Judging from the above therefore, another milestone was recorded on Wednesday, 6th March, 2025, as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in partnership with the Imo State Government completed and commissioned the approximately 8km reconstructed Ekezeala-Abba-Owerre Nkworji signature road project with a triple cell culvert at the Nwandorogu River, a common boundary between Abba and Owerre Nkworji, fostering cultural relationship and sustained communal bond as the two towns also shared a common market over the years.

The well reconstructed Ekezeala-Abba-Owerre Nkworji landmark NDDC road project was facilitated by a well established road construction giant, respected community leader, bridge builder, uncommon philantropist and business maverick, “High Chief Johnbosco Chukwuma Ozigbu, PhD (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga)” and systematically executed by West Fargo Global Services Ltd, a conglomerate of Grapik Engineering Ltd, known for its track record of strictly adhering to job descriptions, quality specifications, solid road construction and timely delivery of executed projects, renewing the confidence of road users, stakeholders, and communities.

The laudable road construction will not only stimulate and enhance economic activities in the three Local Government areas visa viz: Ekezeala in Isiala Mbano LGA; Abba in Nwangele LGA; and Owerre Nkworji in Nkwerre LGA, but also serves  as a key element in physical access to affordable road transportation, access to markets, access to healthcare delivery, access to farmlands, access to inter- community social activities as road users could navigate Orlu, Imo State, and Ihiala, Anambra State, through this strategic road as measures should be put in place to curb the free movement of heavy duty truck drivers if the government and NDDC truly want the road to last long as it has been the bane of a sustainable road project after construction.

This significant construction initiative and collaboration between the Imo State Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has once again demonstrated the Shared Prosperity Administration’s commitment to infrastructural development, which  further reinforces the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sincerity and efforts towards grassroots development, putting measures in place to complete abandoned projects within the Niger Delta region.

Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly, the House Committee Chairman on NDDC, Hon. Eriatake Iborisuenu, applauded the Imo State Government for its collaborative efforts with the NDDC. She praised the Governor’s commitment to infrastructural development and pledged that whenever the State Government seeks support from the National Assembly, she would ensure necessary backing for the benefit of the people.

In a similar note, the Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, expressed deep satisfaction with the progress being made. He also emphasized that his greatest joy is seeing citizens benefit from projects that enhance their lives. He urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the road, warning against activities such as overloading trucks beyond capacity, which could damage the infrastructure. He however, assured continued support and prompt intervention to Imo State whenever the need arises.

Hon. Buma Iyaye, Executive Director, Finance & Administration, NDDC: in his remarks, commended the Governor of Imo State for transforming the state’s landscape and expressed gratitude to the Hon. Minister for Regional Development for his unwavering support. He also appreciated the traditional rulers, women, and all attendees, pledging further support from the NDDC for development initiatives.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, in his speech, described the commissioning of the  landmark road project as a historic moment, emphasizing that this is the first time since the creation of the NDDC that a project in Imo State is being commissioned with the full representation of every sector of the country; the Presidency, National Assembly, the State Government, traditional institution, civil society, and student groups. He however, commended High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), an illustrious son of Abba and the West Fargo Global Services Ltd, for delivering a quality road project, emphasizing the need to award government contracts to experienced hands capable of executing it.

Appreciating the relentless commitment of the new NDDC Board under the supervision of the Board Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, and Management Team of Chief Samuel Ogbuku, PhD, Governor Uzodimma commended President Bola Tinubu for assembling good hands; technocrats, and industry experts into the Commission.

Expressing the state government’s readiness and commitment to working closely with the NDDC, Uzodimma urged the Commission to expand its intervention in the areas of power supply, rural electrification, youth employment, and critical infrastructure development.

The watershed event had in attendance the creme of Nigerian society; representatives of the President, members of National Assembly, members of the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Imo State Government led by His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, members of the Imo State House of Assembly led by the duo of  Rt. Hon.Chike Olemgbe and Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Chairman of Nwangele Council of Traditional Rulers led by HRH Eze Onunenyi Uzoma (Ekiti ll of Ekitiafor Abba), while Queen Dr.  Shirely Okwudimma represented the  women wing of royalties.

With over 116,000 solar lights spread across communities in the 9 mandate states, 38,899 beneficiaries in its 11 medical missions, 2000 beneficiaries in training and empowering women and youth in livestock and agro-processing, 10,000 beneficiaries in sustainable empowernment through skills acquisition, 2,700 beneficiaries in post-graduate foreign scholarship programme, the NDDC has continued to live to its corporate mantra of making a difference.