From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is partnering with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, to ensure the speedy completion of the 27.1-kilometre Bonny Ring Road and Bridges in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking during the inspection of the project, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, reiterated the Commission’s determination to deliver the road alongside several others, stressing that it was a mandate from President Bola Tinubu.
Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai, and other Directors of the Commission, also paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, in his palace.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer informed the Bonny Monarch that, beyond visiting to inspect the ring road project, the Commission was in the Kingdom to seek his blessings for the 25th anniversary celebration of the Commission, which would commence with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Ondo State. He said that as part of the ceremonies, the name of the late Harold Dappa-Biriye would be mounted at the new NDDC headquarters at the Marine Base, Port Harcourt. He underlined the critical role played by the late Bonny nationalist in the Niger Delta struggle.
Ogbuku, assured that the Commission would continue to positively impact the lives of the people of the region, adding that most of the projects embarked upon by the Commission were based on needs assessment.
He stated: “We are committed to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government in the Niger Delta region. We remain dedicated to the mandate given to the NDDC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transform Nigeria’s oil-producing region.”
Ogbuku said that the Commission has engaged international oil and gas companies (IOCs) to attract partnerships for large-scale projects. “We are collaborating with NLNG to facilitate the construction of the Bonny Ring Road, the Kaa-Ataba Bridge and the Okrika-Borokiri Bridge,” he stated.
“We believe that in partnership with stakeholders, we will achieve more, and development in our region will be faster and more holistic. We are not competing with any state government; we only complement their efforts.”
The Managing Director stated that the construction of the road would contribute to poverty reduction by positively impacting the economic growth of the host and adjoining communities.
According to Ogbuku, “the project is one of the legacy projects which was captured in the 2024 budget of the commission as part of the fund approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to facilitate completion of legacy projects across the region. The president’s approval also includes the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, the Bonny Ring Road and the Okrika-Borokiri Bridge in Rivers State, among others.”
Ogbuku, who defied a heavy downpour, inspected the project in the company of some Bonny Chiefs and remarked that the ring road project would link Bonny Town with surrounding communities to complement the Bonny-Bodo Road being constructed by the Federal Government.
The Managing Director of the construction firm handling the project, Engr. Dennis Ododah, assured that the Bonny Ring Road project would be completed by the first quarter of 2027. He explained that the 27.14 km road project included 13 bridges and 26 km of concrete pavement.
Speaking earlier during a courtesy visit by the NDDC team, the Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, appreciated NDDC’s efforts and called for the speedy completion of the Bonny Ring Road.
The Monarch, who was represented by the Chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox, urged the NDDC to ensure strict supervision of the project to prevent delays that could come from the contractor.
