NDDC Boss Tasks Contractors on UNIPORT Projects, Completes Hostel for Corp Members in Bayelsa NDDC Boss Tasks Contractors on UNIPORT Projects, Completes Hostel for Corp Members in Bayelsa
The Acting Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Christy Atako, has given the contractors handling its prototype hostel project at... NDDC Boss Tasks Contractors on UNIPORT Projects, Completes Hostel for Corp Members in Bayelsa
Atako

Atako

The Acting Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Christy Atako, has given the contractors handling its prototype hostel project at the University of Port Harcourt six weeks to complete it according to specification for the benefit of the students.

Dr. Atako, who gave the ultimatum yesterday while inspecting the Commission’s hostel project at the University of Port Harcourt, called on the contractor to ensure that he adhered strictly to his promise to complete the project within four weeks. She, however, gave the contractor additional two weeks to deliver the project.

“One thing I always advice our contractors is that they should tell us the truth.  There is no point giving us the impression that they will finish a job at a particular time and when we go there on the promised date the work is not done,” she admonished.

The NDDC boss who was impressed with the quality of job done, however, asked the contractor to change some substandard wardrobes and replace some broken tiles in the hostel.  She assured the contractor that the Commission was not out to find fault with its contractors but to encourage them to deliver quality jobs to the people of the Niger Delta.

In another development, the NDDC, is exploring the possibility of working with the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture to encourage local production for processing at the NDDC Rice Mill, Elele-Alimini.

The NDDC Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Christy Atako, disclosed this while expressing her displeasure with the non-utilisation of the NDDC Rice Mill during an inspection of the facility.

Expressing her determination to ensure achievement of the purpose for which the NDDC rice mill was established, the Acting Managing Director said, “We are going to work with the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture to see what can be done to put the rice mill to use.”

She noted that since farming is one of the major occupations of the Niger Delta people, farmers will be very excited to have a project like this available to them. She said, “Truly, we will do everything we can to make our farmers benefit from the NDDC rice mill by partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture to encourage massive cultivation of rice.”

According to the NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr.GodpowerAmadi, the mill has a capacity to process 180 tonnes of rice daily, which is equal to 3,600 bags of 50 kilogramme each.

In Bayelsa State, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) undertaking their primary assignment in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of the State, now have a modern living quarters built for them by the NDDC. The 44-chalet complex, which would house at least 88 corps members, has been completed and was fully fitted with air-conditioners, water heaters and other conveniences.

Taking the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Dr. Christy Atako, round the new corps members lodge, the Director Bayelsa State office of the commission, Dr. Princewill Ekanem said that the facility was customized to meet the needs of young men and women serving their country for one year. He said that the complex, in addition to the chalets, has one large conference room and an Information Communication Center (ICT).

Dr. Atako expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done in the building and gave kudos to the contractor for working within the scheduled time for the completion of the project. She said that the NDDC was in the process of identifying completed projects that would be commissioned in the coming weeks to erase the wrong impression that it was not doing enough to develop the Niger Delta.

A representative of the NYSC members, who would be the direct beneficiaries of the first class accommodation, Mr. Michael Abisha, commended the NDDC for the project, which he said would go a long way in helping them to serve to the best of their ability. He, however, appealed to the NDDC to add sports facilities to the complex to further enhance its value.

The NDDC boss also inspected the 16-kilometer internal roads network being constructed by the commission at the Federal University, Otuoke. According to  Engr. Onduku Abraham of the NDDC Project Monitoring Service, the roads traverse the new layout of the campus and would provide access for students and staff of the new Federal University. He noted that the roads were being built on swampy terrain and were expected to be completed in 72 weeks.

The project engineer, Boma Israel Amakuru assured the Ag. Managing Director that the internal roads  would be completed on schedule and according to specifications. “We don’t have any problems with the surrounding communities and the NDDC has so far funded us adequately,” he said.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, had earlier addressed staff of the Bayelsa State office at their temporary accommodation in Yenagoa. She charged them to see themselves as agents of change in the Niger Delta. “Together, we are going to work towards creating a new and improved image for the NDDC,” she said.

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