Work on the 13-floor permanent Headquarters complex of the Niger Delta
Development Commission, NDDC, at the Eastern By-Pass, Port Harcourt, has
gathered momentum in keeping with the Commission’s resolve to deliver on
the project by March 2020.
The NDDC Acting Managing Director, Dr Akwagaga Lelegima Enyia, who
inspected the project on Tuesday in the company of the Director Project
Monitoring and Supervision, Engr Ukeme Nkamare, affirmed that
appreciable progress had been made at the site since her last inspection
visit a few weeks ago.
Dr Enyia expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the main
building, as well as the ancillary structures, stating that the
increased tempo of activities was a reflection of the improved funding
for the project.
She said: “I am satisfied with the way the fund released so far is being
utilized. The work is progressing satisfactorily, and the contractors
have promised that by March 2020, we will be able to move into the
building. I believe that with the pace of work, the contractors will
meet the target.
“Before this time, we had the challenge of funding. But since I came on
board, I have released some funds and I can say that we are getting
value for the money we have committed to the project. Since funds have
been provided, we are now fast-tracking the process to meet the
deadlines we have set for the completion of the project.”
The NDDC boss observed that the main building, which was at 39 per cent
completion before the release of funds, had moved up to 60 per cent,
while the ancillary building has reached 40 per cent completion.
Dr Enyia said she was also satisfied with the quality of work being done
by the various contractors, whom she said were doing their best, as they
were being supervised by qualified NDDC engineers who were making sure
that standards were not compromised.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, who carried out an audit of work done
as it relates to the project work plan, with the project managers and
engineers, said she was satisfied with the milestones achieved so far.
The Project Manager, Architect Clement Udie, and the Coordinator for the
contractors, Architect Felix Darko, assured the Acting MD that no effort
would be spared to ensure that the contractors kept to the timelines for
the delivery of the various components of the project.