NDDC reconstruct road to naval shipyard in Rivers

Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

The re-construction of the 2.6 kilometres Reclamation Road in Port Harcourt by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has revived the fortunes of the Naval Shipyard, a strategic national and defense asset in Rivers state.

Other high profile institutions that would benefit from the road rehabilitation are the 50-year-old Port Harcourt Boat Club and dozens of industries located in the area.

The Naval Shipyard is made up of the Admiralty China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Limited which handles ship building, repairs, and marine fabrication for public and private sector clients.

Expressing appreciation for the road project, the Commodore Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited, Commodore Abolaji Orederu, said that the road has changed the lives of the people of several communities in the area as well as bringing more businesses to the companies in the shipyard.

Comdr. Orederu, who presented souvenirs to the NDDC team that inspected the completed road, said that the commission did a good job on the road and deserved more than commendations.

The contractor that handled the project, Kabaka Brown, said that the 2.6 kilometres road links four major communities and seven smaller communities, with about 50, 000 people living or doing business there.

He commended members of the communities, which included Isaka, Magcobar and Bundu-Ama, for cooperating with the workers during the construction of the road, noting that they were very helpful in spite of numerous security challenges.

Brown said: “From my past experience, when you go to some communities they give you serious trouble when you want to execute a project, but we came to this community and after the first meeting we gave them what is due to them. There was no issue of theft, kidnapping or disturbance till we left the site.”

He commended the executive management of the NDDC for facilitating the development of communities in the Niger Delta region.