Ondo Govt sign MoU with NDDC on abandoned Araromi-Akodo-Lekki Road

By Oluniyi Akintunde, Akure

The Ondo state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on the age-long neglected Araromi-Akodo-Lekki road.

The MoU, which is aimed at constructing the road for the purpose of opening up the project for integrated economic development, was signed on behalf of the state government by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, while the NDDC Managing Director, Mr.Nsima Ekere, signed on behalf of the commission.

Speaking before the signing of the MoU at the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, the state governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, lamented the condition of the residents of the southern senatorial district of the state, expressing optimism that the Araromi-Akodo-Lekki road would be delivered before the expiration of the tenure of the Chairman of the NDDC Board, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.

According to the governor,  the courtesy visit by the NDDC Board led by Ndoma-Egba was impactful because it would afford the commission to have adequate knowledge of the gloomy condition of the people of the Niger Delta area of the state.

The governor however, expressed concern that the southern senatorial district of the state had been neglected for years in spite of the fact the treasures of the state were hidden in the area.

He said: “The people of the Southern Senatorial District have been in total darkness for over four years and this ought not to be so.”

While promising to spread good development to all the three senatorial districts of the state, Akeredolu hailed the NDDC for showing interest in partnering with his administration to provide good governance to the people.

He also commended the commission for re-mobilising contractors to all the abandoned projects in the Niger Delta communities in the state.

Akeredolu named such abandoned projects to include Ugbo-Ogboye Road, Igbokoda-Igbekebo Road, Irele-Igbotu Road and Agadgba bridge.

The governor also tasked the NDDC to support efforts aimed developing agriculture in the state.

Speaking earlier, Ndoma-Egba said the commission had decided to review all the NDDC’s projects in Ondo State to ensure impactful projects delivery.

He said of the NDDC’s 785 projects in Ondo State, 381 are ongoing; 266 had been neglected; 96 were either stalled or abandoned and 42 had been awarded, but contractors had yet to return to sites.

Ndoma-Egba therefore said the commission would focus on projects that would truly integrate the Niger Delta region.

He added that the commission would execute projects based on impacts and the needs of the people, while adding that governors of the Niger Delta states were required to play advisory roles.