The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has assured that the Commission will soon complete the 2-Kilometre double-lane Kaa-Ataba Road with two bridges in the Khana and Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Ogbuku gave assurance during an inspection of a 1.2-kilometer-long bridge on the road, accompanied by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, and other Directors of the Commission.

He stated: ?The project Is about 70 per cent done, and we are ready to complete it by the middle of next year. We have just finished discussing it with the on-site contractors and even assuring the traditional ruler that we are back already. The contractor is back on site and working to ensure we finish this project by mid-next year.?

?As you can see, this bridge is one of the longest bridges in this country, after the Third Mainland Bridge and the Second Niger Bridge. This is about 1.2 kilometres long, and you can see it is very long. So, it is an ambitious project by the NDDC. We want to complete it for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta because once this bridge is completed, it will be linked to Ataba and also the Bony Island too.

?This bridge gives multiple gateways to Bony, apart from the Bony-Bodo expressway. You can also access Bony through this link, so I think we are very willing and prepared to complete this project; that is why we came here to meet with the contractor on site. They have already started casting the beams for the bridge.?

The Paramount Ruler of Ataba Kingdom in Andoni Local Government Area, King Benson Egwenre Uruk, said he was delighted to see the NDDC back on the project, noting: ?We had almost lost hope on this project. We prayed for it to be completed. Seeing the NDDC here today has brought us joy.

?We are joyful because this project is so dear to our hearts. Most of the communities in Andoni are motorable except the Ataba community. Completing this project would be a big relief for economic and social activities. It will improve the lives of the Ataba people.

?We, the people of Ataba, are very peaceful and cooperative. We assure the NDDC that we will not disrupt the project as it goes on.?

The NDDC team also inspected the 30km Nsasak Junction-Akon Road that links Akwa Ibom and Abia State.

Ogbuku highlighted the project?s significance, stating that it would serve as an alternative route for commuters and reduce the cost of transportation. He expressed readiness to review the project?s scope and mobilise contractors to resume work as soon as possible.

He said: ?This Is a vital project that links Akwa Ibom State and Abia State. Though awarded in 2012, we inspected and saw the project?s status. About 15km of this project is done, and we are already conversing with the contractor about when they will return to the site. We are committed to reviewing the scope of the road and completing it in no distance time.?

?It is a project awarded in 2012 and is one of the projects we want to complete now. We came to inspect it to see its status, and we are already in discussions with the contractors to see how they can return to the site.

?We are determined to finish it because it will also reduce the cost of transportation between Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. Those going to Akwa Ibom can take the shorter route rather than go through the East-West Road on the Ogoni axis.?

?We want to finish this project. As you can see, it has already gone far. The beams for the bridge are all on the ground, and the bridge is meant to be 100 meters long. The contractors are eager to return to the site.?

?The total length of this road is 30 kilometres, but 15 Kilometres have already been done, so it?s just for us to cross the bridge and complete the remaining 15 Kilometres and another three Kilometres in front that will now link up to Azunmini.?

The NDDC team also inspected the emergency reconstruction of the 5.5-kilometre Oyigbo road network, which traverses the Obunku, Umuosi, Obeakpu, Mgboji, and Ndoki communities in the Oyigbo Local Government Area.

?PHOTO: NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (middle), speaking during the inspection of the Kaa-Ataba Road and bridges in Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State. With him is Executive Director Projects Sir Victor Antai (right); Paramount Ruler of the Ataba Kingdom, King (Dr) Benson Egwenre Uruk (left); and the Project Manager, Engr Christian Motor (second left)

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