NDDC to Resume Work on Abandoned Borokiri-Okrika Road, Enhancing Connectivity and Local Economy
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced the imminent resumption of work on the long-delayed Borokiri-Okrika Road project in Rivers State. This strategic infrastructure project, which was started in 2012 but abandoned for several years, is set to significantly improve connectivity between Okrika Island and Port Harcourt, boosting local trade and enhancing access to vital services for residents.
The 3.65-kilometre Okrika-Borokiri Road, featuring three bridges, is designed to link key communities including Kolabi, Abotoru, and Okpoka creeks to Port Harcourt, thus enhancing regional economic integration. The completion of the road promises to shorten travel times, facilitate smoother movement of goods and services, and stimulate economic activity in the surrounding areas.
Speaking at an interactive forum in Port Harcourt, Alabo Boma Iyaye, NDDC’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, emphasized the Commission's commitment to completing the project under the 2024 NDDC budget. Iyaye detailed the previous setbacks that stalled the project but expressed optimism about its future. "This project was initiated by prior administrations in 2012 but faced significant delays. However, with the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the project has been prioritized in the 2024 budget. Now is the right time to begin work in earnest," he stated.
The forum, which brought together traditional rulers, youth, and women’s groups, as well as community development committees from Okrika, Ogu/Bolo, and Port Harcourt City, was organized to ensure transparency and foster collaboration between the NDDC, the local communities, and the project contractors. Iyaye urged community members to provide the necessary support to the contractors, ensuring that the project is completed efficiently and within the stipulated timeframe.
With the resumption of construction, the NDDC aims to address the long-standing infrastructural gap in the region, which has hindered the growth of local economies and access to essential services. The successful completion of the Borokiri-Okrika Road is poised to become a key enabler of regional development and a critical asset for the people of Okrika and Port Harcourt.
The project represents a renewed commitment by the NDDC to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region, aligning with the Commission’s mandate to foster sustainable development and improve the living conditions of its people.
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