LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- NNPC Ltd, along with its joint venture partners, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), TotalEnergies, and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have inaugurated the N24.5 billion Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State.
According to Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi O. Soneye, the 25.7-kilometer road, which includes seven bridges and five culverts, spans through mangrove forests and connects 14 communities.
The commissioning ceremony, held in Nembe on Monday, was part of the activities to commemorate the one-year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of the Niger Delta, attended the event on behalf of the President and expressed how the project aligns with the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole.
He urged other oil companies to collaborate with NNPC Ltd and NDDC to deliver transformative projects.
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Representing the NNPC Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Mr. Bala Wunti, Mr. Obinna Aralu expressed satisfaction with the completion of the road and emphasized the power of collaboration and shared vision. He highlighted that the road signifies progress, connectivity, and opportunities for the Nembe people, promoting seamless transportation, increasing economic activities, and improving the overall quality of life. Wunti also expressed gratitude to all partners and stakeholders involved in the successful delivery of the project.
The Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, emphasized the transformative impact of the project.
He stated that it would connect communities to the city center, boost economic activities, and reduce risks associated with river transport. Okunbor reaffirmed Shell’s commitment to collaborating with government agencies to deliver projects that benefit the people of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.
The Managing Director of NDDC,Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, expressed the commission’s dedication to completing projects in the Niger Delta region that address urgent needs in the communities.
The Bayelsa State Governor, senator Douye Diri, commended NNPC Ltd, its partners, and NDDC for their contribution to the project.
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He said: “The completion and inauguration of the Ogbia-Nembe Road mark a significant milestone in the continuous efforts by NNPC Ltd and its partners to enhance infrastructure and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.”
He stated that the project exemplifies the positive outcomes that can result from strong partnerships and called for further collaboration to deliver more impactful projects.
The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers from Bayelsa State, and key stakeholders in the region.