The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has renewed its drive to
fast-track the completion of its projects spread across the nine Niger
Delta states, especially the big ticket projects that will transform the
region significantly.
The NDDC Acting Managing Director, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, set the tone for
the Commission’s plans to drive development efforts while inspecting the
new 12-floor permanent headquarters complex of the Commission at the
Eastern Bye-Pass in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, who inspected work on the new
headquarters alongside the Acting Executive Director Projects, Engr. Dr.
Samuel Adjogbe, described the project as “fantastic.”
He said: “You know that our first objective is to provide a conducive
working environment for people working in NDDC. From what I have seen, my
predecessors have done very well but we will improve on what they have done
and with all things being equal, by the fourth quarter of this year, we
might be able to call all the nine governors to come here and commission
this edifice.”
Prof. Brambaifa charged NDDC contractors handling other on-going projects
to take a cue from the work going on at the new headquarters, urging that
they should take their jobs seriously. “The earlier they can meet up with
the milestones, the better for their payments. There is money available to
pay them and there is no point sitting at home and expecting to be paid,”
he said.
The NDDC boss said that the Commission was anxious to complete the
headquarters project to add value to the work of the NDDC towards meeting
its mandate, adding that this was in line with the resolve of the new
management of the Commission to promptly complete all on-going projects.
The NDDC Acting Executive Director Projects, Engr. Dr. Samuel Adjogbe,
commended the contractors for doing a good job, noting that the quality of
work was high and the completion target of the last quarter of this year
was achievable.
Adjogbe observed that there had been modifications on the scope of the
project which had invariably impacted the cost.
He assured that the NDDC would provide all the financial support necessary
to ensure that the project was completed expeditiously, stating that the
Commission would not compromise on quality and adherence to the approved
designs.
He stated: “We will make out time to visit other locations to inspect the
projects and to see what issues that need to be addressed. In this
particular project, we have been able to identify the critical areas to
tackle. This includes the need to address the issue of paying contractors
who supplied some of the items so they can release them for installation.”
The project manager, Architect Ebiwene Bozimo, assured the NDDC boss that
the targets set for the completion of the office complex would be met if
funds were released at the appropriate timelines.
He said that work at the main office complex was now at finishing level,
while work was progressing satisfactorily on the ancillary structures,
comprising facilities such as a medical centre, restaurant, bank, car
parks, among others
*Charles Odili *Director, Corporate Affairs.
March 26, 2019.