The partners implementing the Ogbia–Nembe road project in Bayelsa State
have vowed to complete it as scheduled, despite the recent killing of two
soldiers and the kidnapping of an expatriate worker at the site.
The N24 billion road project, is being implemented by the Niger Delta
Development Commission, NDDC, and Shell Petroleum Development Company,
SPDC.
The pledge was made yesterday at a meeting, which was initiated by the
NDDC, to find a quick resolution to the impasse arising from the attack.
The meeting, which was hosted by the Bayelsa State Government at
Government House, Yenagoa, had in attendance representatives of all key
stakeholders on the very important project.
These were the Bayelsa State government, led by Deputy Governor, Rear
Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.), the Niger Delta Development
Commission, led by Acting Managing Director, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, the
Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, led by Mr. Evans Krukrubo and
Setraco, the construction company, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Fayez
Khalaf. Also in attendance were all arms of the Joint Task Force and
security agencies, as well as representatives of communities impacted by
the project, led by a representative of the Amanyanabo of Nembe, King
Edmund Daukoru.
The Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, who presided at the meeting, said that
the construction of the 25.7-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road was a dream come
true for the over 14 communities on its path. He said that the loss of
lives and kidnapping at the construction site was regrettable, but
expressed delight that the contractor had made a commitment to redouble
efforts in completing the project.
The Deputy Governor advised the security agencies to always collaborate
and back each other to ensure effective coverage of the vulnerable
communities, adding that the state government would continue to provide
the necessary logistic support.
The NDDC Acting Managing Director, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, thanked the
Bayelsa State Government for hosting the meeting to drive the completion
of the Ogbhia-Nembe road, which she described as a model in partnership.
She commended the SPDC for remaining steadfast in funding the project,
noting that the NDDC had so far committed over N8 billion to it.
Mrs. Semenitari commended the security agencies for their efforts in
providing security for those working on the project and promised that the
NDDC would provide assistance to relatives of the soldiers that lost their
lives in the area. “We plead with the communities in the area to help us
in safeguarding the lives of those who are working for the development of
their area. We also appeal to the Bayelsa State Government to help to
improve security in the communities to boost the confidence of the
contractors who had agreed to go back to site,” she said.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer said that the Commission was still
counting on the partnership of SPDC in executing the second phase of the
Ogbia-Nembe Road, which would extend to Brass. She explained: “We have
made provisions in our budget for the second phase. We urge Shell to also
prepare to partner with us on this. We expect the Bayelsa State Government
to give us its design for the Nembe- Brass Road to enable us start work in
that direction.”
The Community Interface Manager for SPDC, Mr. Evans Krukrubo, affirmed
that the partnership with the NDDC on the Ogbia-Nembe Road had been very
successful, stating that it was encouraging that the project had reached
97 per cent completion. “We are very proud to be associated with this
project. This kind of partnership is what the Niger Delta needs,” he said.
According to Mr. Krukrubo, “we are almost at the finish line. We must make
sure that we get there. We must get through with the challenges and
complete the project.” He assured that SPDC would pay the outstanding
Interim Payment Certificates to facilitate the speedy completion of the
project.
The Managing Director of Setraco, Mr. Fayez Khalaf, promised to deploy
more men on the project to ensure that the April 29 target date was met.
To achieve this goal, however, he urged the funding partners to release
more money for the project, as well as provide adequate security for the
workers.
In his own remarks, the Chairman of Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Awaki
Gamdede, said that the communities had set up monitoring groups to assist
the security agencies in their efforts to provide adequate security in the
area. He called for support for the monitoring teams to make them more
effective.