To boost socio-economic activities and job creation, in the rural areas of the state, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, on November 26, 2024, flagged off the construction of Umuaka - Umudiobia road, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
Addressing the inherent challenges posed by the road, the Managing Director, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, lamented the pitiable condition of the road, which over time had hindered active economic activities and social lives of the people, including the attendant robbery, kidnapping, fatal accidents and other social vices.
The Managing Director who was represented by the member representing Abia State on the Federal Board of NDDC, Chief Eruba Dimgba, Ph.D, emphasized the concerns of the Board in restoring economic activities of the rural people and its determination to change the old narratives of infrastructure decay and abandonment in rural communities.
"The present board of NDDC has deemed it fit to change the narratives. It's on the instruction of the Managing Director that we are flagging off Umuaka - Umudiobia road construction today, to activate the retard economic activities in these communities," he said.
He commended the Board for keeping faith with the 8-Point Agenda of the Federal Government, in providing improved livelihood, sustainable food security, job creation and youth employment to the grassroots.
According to Dimgba,
"Mr President has always advocated for improved livelihood of the people, improved commercial activities, social welfare; has guaranteed employment of the youths, sustainable income and food security."
In the governance of Abia State, Chief Dimgba lauded the developmental vision of Governor Otti, his achievement in creating a new story of development in the State, devoid of party affiliations and selective attention.
"Governor Alex Otti has come to change the narratives of governance in Abia State. He has come without going into party politics and affiliations. He came to change the face of Abia State. He has come to tell us that good things can happen in Abia State. He is doing well. He's my pride. I'm praising him objectively, after all, he's not here," he noted.
The Commissioner also called the attention of the Governor to include Ukwa West in his agenda of development, youth empowerment and security, having being a major source of revenue in the state.
"Ukwa West provides 80% of the state revenue through crude oil. I know he's intelligent enough to remember the people of Ukwa who bear all the environmental hazards of oil exploration.
"Let him equally provide adequate security to mind the infrastructure in the area; provide youth employment to wade them off from vandalism," he stressed.
The Umuaka Town Union President, Elder Benjamin John, and the Community Development Chairman of Umudiobia, Engr Ikechukwu Nmeme, thanked the Commission for their prompt intervention in easing the trauma associated with the said road.
Similarly, the contractor handling the project, Chief Akor Obioma, who promised to complete the road construction within four months, equally guaranteed to keep to the standard specification as provided in the document.
NDDC had on the following dates, flagged off similar developments in the area: expansion and installation of street solar lights on Ngwaiyiekwe - Ogwe - Umuaka road, April 24, 2024; provision of 229 street solar light systems in Umuaka, among others in the Local Government Area.
