AKHA urges NDDC to prioritize completion of abandoned projects in AKS

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has charged the Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC) to prioritize the completion of abandoned projects in Akwa Ibom State in its renewed drive to reposition the region under the management of Obong Nsima Ekere.

Hon. (Princess) Mfon Ekong, the Chairman House Committee on NDDC who made this known during her inaugural meeting with members of the reconstituted committee in the Assembly Complex, said “it is sad that over 50% of abandoned projects in the region are situated in the state, some as old as 15 years”.

According to her, complaints received from several communities across the state reveal that, apart from roads, NDDC has abandoned schools, health centres, water works, civic centres, and vocational centre projects which are of critical importance to the development of these affected communities.

She said in order to ensure that the state is not neglected in the schemes of NDDC action plan to complete abandoned projects and bring fresh projects to the communities in the state, the committee will monitor every projects slated for the state and will treat public complaints with the deserved serious attention, especially concerning poor execution of work.

Hon. (Princess) Ekong said it is evident that there is serious need to know the job specifications of projects in the state to check substandard work.

The Chairman stated that in order to get comprehensive inputs on how to prevent NDDC projects from being abandoned or left at sub-standard states, the committee, she said will organize public hearings and stakeholders meetings soon to gather opinions from informed sources on the way forward.

She said that the position of Akwa Ibom State as the highest contributor of crude oil resources to the national coffers, the state deserves a better attention in the NDDC budget and programs. 

Hon. (Princess) Ekong used the interactive forum to appreciate the appointment of Obong Nsima Ekere as the Managing Director and Engr. Samuel Frank as the state representative on board of the NDDC, and she enjoined them to use the vintage positions to transform the state.