News

NDDC Fast-Tracks Key Bayelsa, Rivers Link Road For Commissioning

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2023

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, says that the commission is fast-tracking the construction work on the Oruma rigid pavement Road, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to ensure its commissioning next month.
Speaking during an inspection of the road, in the company of NDDC Directors and engineers, Ogbuku, said that it would serve as a major by-pass for commuters in many communities in both Bayelsa and Rivers states.
He explained that the Oruma Road, which links another NDDC road, the 23.5-kilometre Otuasega-Obedum-Emelego Road and bridges, connecting Bayelsa and Rivers communities, would enhance the impact of the regional road.
According to Ogbuku, the completion of the road project was part of efforts by the NDDC management to complete all on-going projects in the Niger Delta region.
He observed: “The road is very important, because it would help people of the area, mostly farmers to evacuate their agricultural produce to the cities and towns for sale.
Ogbuku urged community leaders and youths in the area to corporate with contractor handling the project to enable him complete the road on schedule, stating: “The contractor has been given a marching order to complete this road by the end of October”.
Reacting to the deadline, the contractor, Mr. Charles Yibaepirima, assured the NDDC team that he would complete the project on schedule.
He gave kudos to the NDDC for initiating the project, and commended the Oruma Community for their cooperation and support.
He described members of the community as worthy partners in the construction process, noting: “The people have been cooperative and receptive since the commencement of this project. We thank them for their support.”
In his remarks, the Community Liaison Officer, Mr. Ken Ejibas, thanked the NDDC for executing the road project and acknowledged the commission’s contributions to the growth of the community.
He said: “I am here liaising between the community and the contractor. The people of Oruma are hospitable, we have yearned for this project and we are happy to see that it is nearing completion. We pray to see more projects in our area.”
After the inspection, the NDDC Managing Director and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Ruler of Oruma Community, King David Amakiri, who applauded the commission for executing many projects in his domain.
He described Ogbuku’s leadership in NDDC as impactful and worthy of commendation.
Amakiri praised the commission for constructing the Oruma Road and other internal roads in his community, stating that his people had faced many challenges in the area of infrastruture before the commission’s intervention.
He said: “The road linking Ogbia Local Government Area with Odual in Abua/Odual Local Government of Rivers State is still under construction. The fact that the road is yet to be completed, gives us concerns but we are optimistic that it will be completed in no distant time”.
He also thanked the NDDC for bringing light to the community through solar-powered street lights, as well as providing portable water for the people.
The traditional ruler thanked the NDDC for the various interventions, which he said had improved the lives and livelihood of his people.

News

Nigeria’s Rail Transport Generated N1.69bn In Q2 -NBS report

Published

4 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

The Nigerian rail system generated N1.69billionn in revenue from passengers in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 53.14 per cent increase compared to the N1.10billion recorded in the same period of 2023.
This data was disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics in its report released yesterday.
According to the report, a total of 689,263 passengers travelled by rail in Q2, representing a growth rate of 45.38 per cent compared to 474,117 passengers in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
The volume of goods transported via rail also saw a significant increase, with 143,759 tons moved in Q2 2024, up from 56,936 tons in Q2 2023. Additionally, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported a volume of 5,940 tons of goods transported through pipelines in Q2 2024, an increase from the 2,856 tons recorded in the same period of the previous year.
Revenue from goods conveyed via rail stood at N537.36m in Q2 2024, a remarkable increase of 206.68 per cent compared to N175.22m in Q2 2023. The movement of goods through pipelines also contributed to revenue generation, with N42.08m collected in Q2 2024, compared to N12.81million in Q2 2023.
Other revenue receipts amounted to N994.68million in Q2 2024, representing a staggering increase of 5,206.68 per cent from the N18.74m recorded in the corresponding period of last year.
In the first quarter, of 2024, The Tide source reported that Nigeria spent more on servicing the debt incurred for building its railways than the revenue generated by its railway system. The country spent 2,470 per cent more on railway debt servicing than it made from revenue from rail services in the first quarter of 2024.

News

NDDC Unveils Initiative To Enhance Food Security In N’Delta

Published

4 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.
Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta State representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta.
He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.
“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.
Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.
“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.
The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.
According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security.

News

Tinubu Shelves UNGA79 Trip To Address National Challenges

Published

4 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual summit.
Tinubu “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘Vice President Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly.’
It reads, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
“Therefore, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.”
Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” said Onanuga.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.