The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has directed contractors handling its 952 abandoned projects in Rivers State to return to site.
The representative of Rivers State on the NDDC board, Chief Tony Okocha, gave the directive yesterday in Port Harcourt, during an interactive meeting with over 200 contractors handling the commission’s projects in the state.
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Okocha said the meeting was called at the instance of the board and management of NDDC to ascertain their challenges and suggestions on the way forward.
He reassured the contractors that the present governing board of the commission, headed by the chairman, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, and the managing director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku respectively, is poised to rewrite the history of the interventionist agency by ensuring that contractors are given proper and appropriate attention, and urged the contractors to return to their sites.
The Rivers State representative cautioned the contractors against rendering substandard jobs when awarded contracts in the state and reminded them of the consequences of such acts, as the commission is determined to sanction such contractors.
Meanwhile, the NDDC has presented mobility and hearing aids to persons living with disabilities in the Niger Delta region, with the assurance that it will do more for them.
The items included wheelchairs, sensor-guide canes, hearing aids, and crutches.
The items were presented to the beneficiaries at the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Disability Praise Festival held in Port Harcourt.
At the event, Ogbuku (NDDC boss) said some physically-challenged persons were very talented and gifted, stating that what such people needed were opportunities and support to live meaningful and sustainable lives.
Represented by the NDDC assistant director for education, health, and social services, Dr Asela Agala, Ogbuku said, “The NDDC has a robust welfare package for youths, women, and persons living with disability and we have over the years rolled out programmes to address their challenges.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to assist people living with disabilities to give them sustainable livelihoods, noting that the NDDC was devoted to the overall development of persons living with disability.
In his remarks, the senior special assistant to the president on disability matters, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa, commended the NDDC for supporting the efforts of the federal government in furthering inclusive policies and ensuring the development of supportive environments for people living with disability.