The National Assembly is committed to ensuring that all projects undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) deliver tangible benefits to local communities, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, has said.
Senator Ekpenyong made the statement during a joint oversight visit by the National Assembly Committee on NDDC to inspect road projects in Cross River State on Tuesday. The delegation, led by Ekpenyong, visited key NDDC infrastructure sites, including the reconstruction of the Odukpani Junction–Okom Ita–Uyanga–Ehom road.
He emphasized that the inspection was part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight mandate and underscored the commitment of President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to ensuring that every NDDC intervention translates into real value for the people of the Niger Delta.
“The Akamkpa–Uyanga–Ehom corridor, for instance, is vital to the nation’s economic growth, agricultural expansion, and community connectivity,” Ekpenyong said. “Akamkpa Local Government is the sole supplier of construction aggregates used in road building across the South-South region and requires improved road infrastructure to support this critical economic activity.”
He added that the Senate Committee would continue to strengthen oversight mechanisms to guarantee transparency, efficiency, and timely delivery of projects across the region.
Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, another member of the committee, stressed the importance of accountability and collaboration. “Our duty is to ensure that the resources committed to the Niger Delta truly serve the people. What we have seen here is encouraging, and we will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that all projects meet the required standards and are completed for public use.”
Receiving the delegation at Government House in Calabar, Governor Bassey Edet Otu expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the National Assembly for its commitment to effective oversight of NDDC projects.
“I welcome this joint oversight visit as a demonstration of your commitment to ensuring that development interventions in the Niger Delta are not only executed but are impactful to the people,” Governor Otu said. “Cross River State remains open to strong collaboration with the National Assembly and the NDDC to accelerate infrastructure delivery and improve the livelihoods of our citizens.”
The Governor noted that strategic partnerships between the state government, the NDDC, and federal lawmakers are essential to unlocking the full development potential of the state, particularly in rural communities.
The oversight visit forms part of ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to monitor and evaluate the progress and quality of NDDC projects, with the aim of ensuring accountability and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
