The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced the resumption of construction work on a road and bridge linking the Kaa community in Khana Local Government Area and the neighbouring Ataba community in Andoni Local Government Area, both in Rivers State.
The NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakamah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and shared with newsmen on Thursday.
According to the statement, the Project Supervisor, Engr. Lawrence Ekanem, described the multi-billion-naira project as both ambitious and impactful. “The road and bridges will enhance socio-economic activities in Kaa, Ataba, and surrounding communities,” he stated.
Ekanem assured that the company was fully committed to ensuring the project’s early completion. “We are committed to delivering on speed and quality,” he emphasised.
The project’s Community Liaison Officer, Mr Backpo Godspower, praised the NDDC for its intervention and called for the speedy completion of the project, which began in 2009.
“The NDDC has done well by resuming work on the bridge, but we want them to complete it so that the connection between the communities separated by the river will be seamless. If the bridge is completed, it will increase socio-economic activities in the area,” he remarked.
Godspower also highlighted the project’s importance for the region, saying, “The 2-kilometre double-lane single carriageway with two bridges will improve the quality of life of the people of Kaa and Ataba, as well as help transport farm produce, goods, and properties from this rich agricultural area. More importantly, it will reduce accidents and security breaches associated with water transport.”
A community leader in Kaa, Deacon Bassey Lezua, expressed his pleasure at the revival of the project, which had been stalled for several years. “The contractor has returned to the site, and we will give them all the cooperation they need to complete the project,” he said.
Lezua further emphasised the project’s importance for growth centres such as Oyorokoto, one of the region’s largest fishing ports.
Meanwhile, a businesswoman in the Kaa community, Mrs Zorbari Pimnee, urged the NDDC to ensure that the contractor maintains progress on the project. She noted that businesses in the area depend on the road’s completion for growth and sustainability.
