The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced emergency repair work on the failed sections of the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, specifically between Umuapu and Umuagwo in Imo State.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, inspected the ongoing rehabilitation on Monday, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the road’s deplorable condition to make it motorable.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Ogbuku highlighted the Commission’s commitment to alleviating the challenges faced by commuters.
“Following a presidential directive to urgently restore the dilapidated sections of regional roads, the NDDC has quickly mobilized construction companies to carry out remedial works to ensure that the people do not suffer unnecessary hardship while travelling,” Ogbuku stated.
During the inspection, Ogbuku received a briefing from engineers overseeing the project and expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being done. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing the restoration of critical infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC Managing Director further assured the public that the repairs would be durable and urged communities and commuters to exercise patience during the construction process. “As an interventionist agency, we will continue to complement the efforts of both the Federal and State Governments by taking measures to ease the stress commuters face daily,” he said.
One of the affected road users, Mr. Kingsley Okorigwe, a commercial bus driver, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for addressing the long-standing issue. “We thank the NDDC for responding promptly to our distress calls. This will ease the hardship we’ve endured on this road,” he remarked.
The repair of the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road is part of the NDDC’s broader initiative to improve infrastructure in the Niger Delta, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for residents and businesses in the region.
