Ministry Accuses NDDC Abandonment Of 10 Projects In Akwa Ibom

Ministry of  Niger Delta Affairs has disclosed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) abandoned 10 projects in lbeno Local Government Area, Akwa lbom State.

According to a statement, signed by Patricia Deworitshe, the Head of Press in the Ministry, the information was made known at the weekend, when Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, visited His Royal Highness, Owong (Dr) Effiong Bassey Archianga (JP), the Paramount ruler of lbeno Local Government Area, Akwa lbom State.

Senator Akpabio, was quoted to be furious at the report by Dr. Archianga, that the NDDC abandoned over 10 projects at lbeno local government Area.

The statement enumerated the abandoned projects according to the Paramount Ruler to include; the construction of lwuoachang -Eastern Obolo Road, Itak Abasi/Okoritak Communities Shoreline protection/Embankment, Upenekang/lwuoachang Shoreline protection/ embankment, Ibeno Mini Stadium, Ibeno Civic Center, Ibeno Standard Divisional Police Headquarters.

 Others are Orukim/Unyenge/ltioesek Road, Mounting of Transformers and electrification of lbeno Villages Inua Eyet lkot /ltak ldim Ukpa/Okposo Road, Ikot Ekong /lbeno Road, and Channelization of creeks in lbeno Communities.

Akpabio reteirated his determination to recover every monies paid to contractors on all abandoned projects by the Niger Delta Deveopment Commission (NDDC).

Akpabio paid a courtesy call to the palace at lbeno after the inspection of the Mkpanak -lbeno Skill Acquisition Centre.

The Minister assured the Paramount Ruler that the Forensic audit of the NDDC as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari will expose all Contractors who received payments and abandoned the jobs.

He said the Contractors will either return to sites to complete the jobs or pay back the monies received.And the ones at lbeno communities would not be exempted from this task.

Earlier in his address Dr. Effiong Bassey Archianga commended the vision and efforts of Senator Akpabio in trying to streamline procedures and operations in the NDDC.

He also appreciated his visit to the Skill Acquisition Centre , a project under construction by the Ministry.

He recalled that the project started when the Minister was the Governor of Akwa lbom State adding  that he and the communities would be exceedingly glad to have President Buhari commission it during Akpabio’s tenure as the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.