Benin City—The Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki on Thursday, chided the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for its inability to raise the living standard of the people and ensure infrastructural development of the oil-rich region.
Obaseki made this known in Benin City, when he played host to the Odiowere and elders of Ugha Quarters of Urhonigbe Town in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Osaigbovo Iyoha, Governor Obaseki said: “We are aware and know that Urhonigbe road in Orhionmwon local council area contract has been awarded by NDDC. We made sure that we don’t duplicate efforts. NDDC has not been forthcoming with contracts that have been awarded at that level.
“In a normal system, if the NDDC has lived up to their responsibility and done the right thing, the government will not need to do the same project. We don’t duplicate work, it amounts to waste of funds.”
The governor who berated the NDDC for leaving the road in a bad condition than it was, assured that he will deploy officials of the ministry of infrastructure to examine the state of the road.
“NDDC left the road in a worse shape than it was before the construction started. It is not an excuse to allow the people to suffer due to the failure of an agency to perform its statutory responsibility.
“As soon as possible, we will send government agencies to check the state of the road and report back. We will do something quick for our people at Urhonigbe because we know that our people are predominantly farmers.
“We will deploy officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure to examine the state of the road to enable us undertake palliative measures before providing a permanent solution to the road. As an administration, we will do our best to ensure that the people of the community feel the impact of the government.”
