Youth activists under the aegis of Niger Delta Gbaramatu Youth Activists has cried out over the continued marginalisation of riverine communities by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, over series of abandoned projects and non-mobilisation of contractors, while appealing to NDDC for the execution of such projects.
In a chat with GbaramatuVoice recently, the youth activists group, led by Hon. Powede Uyadonghan, who is also the Chairman of Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West local council area of Delta state, alleged that the NDDC has since 2014 abandoned some awarded key projects.
He listed some of the key projects to include; sand filling/reclamation of Kokodiagbene community, canalisation of Oporoza creek, sand filling/reclamation of Kurutie community, among others.
According to Hon. Uyadonghan, “Since 2014, NDDC awarded some reclamation and canalization projects in Gbaramatu. Contractors went to execute some part of the projects after which invoices were sent in, up till now, NDDC has not responded to payments. The contractors are owing banks for a long period of time and there is no way you will send someone to do a work and you will not fund the person.”
He lamented the effects the abandoned projects are causing the people in the riverine communities who he said are constantly bearing the burden through self-help measures that are not enduring.
“These projects were supposed to address the issue of flooding in our various communities due to the rise in the water level, which during the raining season flows into the communities.
“Many people have lost valuable properties as a result of this flooding and have tried severally on their part to resolve the problem.”
He therefore appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the commission to look into the awarded contracts as well as release funds for their completion as he called for more allocation of contracts to the kingdom.
“So, we are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and the MD of NDDC that they should as soon as possible mobilise the contractors back to site so that the people will enjoy the dividends of democracy. They should release money to the contractors to execute the projects so that the kingdom will be happy over it.
“We are not happy over the delay of the project and we have been talking to the contractors day and night and they said NDDC has not mobilized them, NDDC has not paid them. So we are appealing to them to NDDC to pay them.”
“Moreover we still need more projects as the kingdom is neglected for a long time. Since 2015 till now, there is no project allocated to the kingdom. So we are still appealing them to consider us,” he added.
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.