Featured

NDDC’s Abandoned Projects: Our Fortune Has Turns To Misfortune-Niger Deltans

Published

5 years ago

September 11, 2020

….Wants severe punishment for Culprits

Joel Ajayi

The Niger Delta communities have revealed that the fortune of the region has now turned to misfortune as a result of corruption, project abandonment, shoddily executed projects, by the selfish, corrupt NDDC officials, politicians, Contractors amongst others who have milked the region to the bone.

The Sons and Daughters of the Region in their book of lamentation on Friday in Abuja during a One Day Radio Town Hall Meeting organized by The Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development PRIMORG on the issue of Corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission.

PRIMORG is a non-governmental/non-profit organization that is supported by the MacArthur Foundation to strengthen anti-corruption and accountability in Nigeria by amplifying corruption-related investigative reports on radio and through social media.

Moderator Felix Akuba gave details on an account of series of abandonment projects in the region, saying out of 18,000 awarded projects to the region about 12,000 projects have been completely abandoned by the Commission.

He stated that about N5 trillion has been pumped to the region for growth and development without any impact on the states.

Speaking on the show, the Niger Delta Right Advocate Members, Darlington Nwauju from Rivers state while lamenting the effect of the abandonment of the project, said while people of the region are finding it difficult to survive, some wicked people are squandering the money meant for the development of the affected community.

He, however, suggested that the approach to the development of the Niger Delta should be changed, adding that, if the NDDC development approach continues like this, the development will be far from the Niger Delta region.

On his own, the immediate past President of Isoko South in Delta state Ovie Umuakpo, who also present at the town hall the meeting said the web of corruption is no doubt alarming in the region and something urgent must be done to nail it in the bud

“For instance, Eneofo and Orogun road, a road that was awarded over 10 years ago by NDDC at an initial cost of 3.5billion to contractors, a project that covers Isoko and Urhobo of Delta State two senatorial district and many other roads.

“It’s said and it unfortunate since 2006 when the road was awarded and re-awarded in 2009 from Isoko south, North, Usere, to Oleh, it’s still the same tale of abandoned projects. It’s not even up to 30% completed.

This project should have ameliorated the suffering of many communities but till today the project has been completely abandoned.”

While providing a solution, Ovie said, people, involve, the contractors, legislators, politicians who live above their income should be held accountable and if found guilty should be prosecuted.”

He added that many road Projects awarded with a huge amount of money 10 years ago were abandoned. The Hospital that is 80% completed was equally abandoned

A for The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, he urged President Muhammadu Buhari to revoke the shoreline protection project in Koko, Warri North Local Council, and Delta State, awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The traditional ruler who spoke from Delta state frowned about the shoddy job did by the contractor (a legislator) in the Koko shoreline protection project during an inspection of the project says the work is not acceptable for the people of the region.

“After taking a tour on the project, here is his reaction: “This is not a job at all, I feel bad such the job will be done in my community, Koko is a very special community in our kingdom there is Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, There is a world-class museum so people come to this place across the world because of the strategic location of the community

“And this only road leading to the community that is why the project was awarded but this can’t stand the test of time, I have seen this kind of project all over the place but I have not seen anyone like this, the job should be terminated, and a good contractor should come and handle the job for us, that is just a solution. We thanked Mr. President but this is unacceptable for me and my people.”

On his own, the Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights, Frank Tie-Tie described the NDDC regime as the criminal conspiracy collusion at the high level among the people of Niger Delta against the people of Niger Delta.

“We should not wait for the forensic audit reports; before we begin to arrest those public officers because we are enemy to ourselves in the region.”

Aljazirah Nigeria gathered that the gale of projects abandon projects is the same in all the Niger Delta states.

Share on Facebook

Featured

NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

9 hours ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

Share on Facebook