Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to take urgent action on numerous development projects across the state that have been neglected for years.
He made the call when the managing director of the commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku called on him in his office in Calabar.
Otu listed some of the long-neglected projects like the youth centre in Akpabuyo, the Adiabo-Ikoneto road, the abandoned Ikom Medical Centre.
The governor also called for NDDC’s intervention in refugee support, noting that the state currently hosts over 54,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Otu used the opportunity to explain that the state does not have issues with NDDC.
About two weeks ago, some government officials blocked the agency from commissioning some of their projects, claiming ownership.
Otu explained, “We don’t have any issues with the NDDC. What may have occurred in the past was a breakdown in communication, which we are now set to fix. Our approach is lawful, organized, and people-centered”;.
He called for the inclusion of more Cross River-specific needs in the Commission’s work plan.
He appreciated the renewed partnership and the willingness of NDDC to re-engage stalled or abandoned projects, while also advocating for greater state inclusion in project planning and execution.
Remarking, NDDC boss, Ogbuku commended Cross River’s cooperative stance and highlighted ongoing partnerships with private and public institutions such as NLNG and NNPC in delivering infrastructure, including the world-class hospital project underway in Ikom.
Both parties agreed to deepen technical engagement.
