The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has highlighted the significance of its collaboration with Chevron Nigeria Limited on the construction of the 70.75km Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, underscored the project’s importance during a meeting with Chevron’s management, led by the Director of the NNPCL/Chevron Joint Venture, Dr. Segun Kuteyi, at Chevron’s headquarters in Lagos.
In a statement to GbaramatuVoice on Wednesday, November 20, by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ogbuku reaffirmed NDDC’s commitment to completing the Omadino-Escravos Road. He emphasized that the project would connect Warri to Escravos, a hub for oil and gas operations, and enhance oil production and economic activities in the region.
Dr. Ogbuku described Escravos as a special economic priority zone, stating that NDDC is actively engaging stakeholders to accelerate the road’s construction through a broad partnership framework.
He further highlighted the importance of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration prioritizes stakeholder collaboration. “We have adopted this approach to secure alternative funding sources for ongoing and new projects,” he said.
Drawing from the success of the NDDC-Shell collaboration on the 25.7km Ogbia-Nembe Road, Ogbuku urged for similar partnerships to drive infrastructure development in the Niger Delta.
Additionally, he noted the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDDC and Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), marking a commitment to delivering sustainable development projects through a PPP framework.
He stated, “We chose the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model as an alternative funding source for the Commission. So, we have been seeking funding partners to complete our current projects and start new ones.”
According to the Managing Director, “One of the positive fall-outs of the PPP initiative is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the NDDC and the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, NLNG. They agreed to collaborate on diverse fronts in delivering sustainable development projects.”
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