THE Federal Government has given yet another boost to infrastructural development of the Niger Delta with an approval for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to execute 18 new projects worth over N48.5 billion across the region.This approval came on the heels of the ongoing execution by the NDDC of 44 projects worth over N156 billion in the Niger Delta. The projects were approved by the Federal Government in 2009.The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha, who disclosed this at the commissions headquarters in Port Harcourt, described the newly approved projects as a fresh package by President Goodluck Jonathan to further fast-track the ongoing restoration efforts in the Niger Delta.He said: The NDDC has received anticipatory approval of the Presidency to award contracts for 18 critical infrastructural development to expedite the massive and sustainable development of the region in a way that will create a conducive environment for investment.Ugwoha disclosed that the projects were for erosion control, construction of roads, foreshore protection, drainages, health centres and tourism.According to the NDDC Managing Director, the 18 projects which are expected to cost a total sum of N48,536,650,191.99 include erosion control at Ibiono Ikom, Akwa Ibom State; Amaogoke-Ezeoke Nsu-Nzerem Ikpe-Isiokwe Road, Imo State; Okujaga-Ama foreshore protection, Rivers State and Ughelli flood remediation, Delta State.Others include a 50-bed coastal hospital complex, Ekowe in Bayelsa State; Ibaka Naval Base Jetty; Araya Bible site road, Delta State and construction of Mbiama junction on East-West Road, Igbogene.Ugwoha advised the contractors to follow up effectively with the necessary documentations to secure their initial payments so that they can promptly mobilise men and materials to their various project sites. Noting that the task of restoring the region was enormous, he urged all stakeholders to join hands with the Federal Government and NDDC to create the desired difference.He said: The NDDC or government can only serve as a vehicle for delivering development projects to the numerous communities in the Niger Delta. It will however make better sense if what is delivered is secured by the people to achieve the purpose for which it is provided. I will therefore love to use this occasion to appeal to our various Community Development Committees (CDCs) to partner the contractors and create the right environment for the rapid execution of the awarded projects.Ugwoha also appealed to Niger Delta youths to embrace the Federal Governments Amnesty Programme, which he described as comprehensive as well as NDDC capacity building programmes designed to equip them with the right skills and knowledge they require to compete adequately in the oil and gas sector and in a market driven economy generally.Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on the Niger Delta and the leading official of the Federal Government Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, has appealed to the President for more inclusion of Nigerians from the Niger Delta in government following the success of the amnesty programme and the security in the region.Kuku made this plea in Abuja recently in a meeting with former generals of the defunct militant camps in the Niger Delta. The meeting was held to assess the success of the programme.At the meeting, which had top former commanders such as Ateke Tom and Asari Dokubo in attendance, Kuku noted that the region had been peaceful as a result of the amnesty programme, a situation which had shot up oil production from an all time low of 700,000 barrels per day to 2.3 million barrels.
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