Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, over the weekend at Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of the Niger Delta (MDN) have not met the expectations of the oil and gas producing states in the region in spite of huge und allocations.

The VP disclosed this during the inauguration of the 20.29 km Obotobo 1- Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri Road in the Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area and the Main Axial Road at Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The series of road projects were executed in the creeks by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration.

Osinbajo, in his remarks, said; “It is an honour to be here to visit you, the King of Gbaramatu Kingdom and commission road projects that were executed by Governor Okowa.

“I am very pleased that we are able to see this type of development in this axis and I commend Governor Okowa for his efforts,”

“There is a lot of oil and gas in this area and the national assets have been protected; I thank you, Your Majesty, for all that you have done to be able to achieve peace and prosperity in this kingdom.”

Prof. Osinbajo, who betrayed excitement over the development strides of Governor Okowa in the creeks, however, expressed sadness that the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta have not met with the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the riverine communities despite the huge funds allocated to them.

“The NDDC in many respect has not met the expectations of the oil-producing states; a lot of money is invested in NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta because, the real reason they were created is to speed up the development of oil-rich communities,” he stated.

He assured that the Federal Government will do more to develop the Niger Delta in the next four years, saying “we will sit with the Delta State governor to look at specific areas to develop in the creeks.”

Governor Okowa in his speech disclosed that the Vice President was invited to inaugurate the projects because he visited the creeks in pursuit of peace and the enabling environment for oil and gas production.

Speaking at Ogulagha, Governor Okowa stated, “it is not just the length of the road that makes this project unique; it is that the road is located right beside the Atlantic Ocean with all the human, material, ecological and financial implications that this difficult terrain presents; we did not know we could get this length of road in the creak until the King drew our attention to it.”

The Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRH, Joseph Timiyan I in an address, said, “the Ogulagha Kingdom has several onshore and offshore oil and gas wells producing over 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day, but, in spite of these great contributions to the economy of our country, we did not enjoy the presence of both the federal and state governments until 2015 when Senator Okowa came to our rescue.”

Other projects inaugurated by VP Osinbajo included the newly-constructed affordable 650 housing units at Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state. (Nigerian Tribune)

•Photo shows, from left; Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro, Governor Okowa, Vice President Osinbajo and the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRH, Joseph Timiyan I during the inauguration of the road

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