Okorocha tasks Senate Committee to address poor presence of NDDC projects in Imo

Governor Rochas Okorocha (center) in group photo with the members of the Senate Committe on NDDC during their visit to Government House, Owerri yesterday

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has charged the Senate Committee on NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) to look into the gross marginalization of the state by the commission and take steps to ensure that the anomaly is corrected in the new dispensation.

Governor Okorocha who spoke when the members of the Senate committee on NDDC led by its chairman, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, paid courtesy call on him yesterday at the Government House Owerri said that the NDDC has not done well in Imo state.

In his words, “If there is any state that has not benefitted from NDDC programme it is Imo state.  We are worst for it.  There is no single project completed by NDDC in Imo state except for boreholes and renovation of classrooms.  Something has to be done and urgently too in Imo by the Commission to give the state a sense of belonging. There must be change of attitude on the part of NDDC.  Irrespective of political parties we are one when it comes to governance.  Governance is the key because the essence of democracy is to produce for people good leaders who will provide for the people dividends of democracy, and where this is lacking, democratic structure has failed. ”

He thanked the Senate committee for asking for government’s input before the passage of the NDDC budget.  According to him, the Owerri/Okigwe road which has become a death trap because of its narrow nature is a federal road and it needs to be reconstructed by NDDC.  

Speaking further, the governor said that the road linking the Imo Industrial park and the one to Oguta Lake can also be taken up.  

Said he, "I want to advice the NDDC to think of one unique project that will touch the lives of the nine NDDC states like railway or power. That will define the true essence of the commission.”

The governor complained that it is only in the NDDC that one kilometer of road is awarded for N500 million whereas the Imo State government builds same for only N70 million and yet the NDDC contractors wouldn’t do the job.  He urged the Senate to ask the contractors to come and do the job they had already been paid for.

Chairman of the Senate committee, Senator Nwaoboshi had earlier told the governor that they were in the state on fact-finding to enable them carry out total evaluation of NDDC Jobs from 2000 till date, and to also find out whether the performance of the commission has actually affected the lives of the people in the NDDC states, adding that the committee members decided to undertake such action following a motion to that effect in the senate which was passed.

Senator Nwaoboshi assured that his committee would ensure that the contractors who abandoned their sites on flimsy reasons would be made to face the wrath of the law, while those who require assistance of the committee to return to site would be assisted to do so.

According to him, their committee would not cut corners, while their report would reflect the facts on ground, adding that if the need arises, the committee might have a public hearing for all Nigerians to see the truth.