A frontline Paramount Ruler in Cross River State has commended the Federal Government for its resilience to bring succour to the people of the Niger Delta region, by embarking on critical projects execution through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
His Royal Majesty, Ndidem Patrick Inok Oqua Agbo V, the Paramount Ruler of Calabar Municipalities and Grand Patron of the Oqua Nation, made the disclosure at the commissioning ceremony of Atimbo-Akpabuyo road in Calabar, Cross River State, this weekend.
“We appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria, which through the supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, has linked Calabar to Bakassi with a good road network. This has helped farmers to move their produce easily to Calabar for economic prosperity,” he added.
The Paramount Ruler stressed that the rehabilitation of Atimbo-Akpabuyo road was one of the many projects completed by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Cross River State and other States in the Niger Delta region.
Ndidem Patrick said the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani had done the expected of a good bureaucrat with dexterity.
He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity given to their son, Usani to help his people.
The 6.55Km Atimbo-Akpabuyo road Sectiins 1 and 2, links Calabar to Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State and it is considered very key for the advancement of agriculture in the area.
In his remarks, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani said the rehabilitation of Atimbo-Akpabuyo road was necessitated by the plight of the people who stayed long hours to move their goods from Bakassi to Calabar in the past.
He added that the policy of the Buhari led Federal Government was to ensure that no project was abandoned, saying that as many projects were being commissioned across the region, more were being given attention through contract award in other to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of Niger Delta region.
“The Federal Government alone cannot meet all the needs of the people, the States and Local Governments should complement the efforts by constructing internal roads in various communities in the region,” the Minister reiterated.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Aliyu Aminu Bisalla, represented by the Director, Community Development and Education in the Ministry, Mrs Lauren Braide commended the cooperation of all the stakeholders for supporting the Federal Government in executing the project in good time.
Similarly, while commissioning a Cottage Hospital built and equipped by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs at Assiga Community in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State over the weekend, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani noted that siting the project in Assiga was aimed to reduce the suffering of the people of the community and other neighbouring communities in seeking medical attention outside their localities..
The Minister added that the Ministry was making necessary arrangements for the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure the smooth running and proper deployment of medical personnel to the health centre.
Elder Ogban Edet Usang, on behalf of the leadership of the community, said: “We the people of Assiga Community are grateful to witness the commissioning of this noble health centre. When the work started, we heaved a sigh of relieve. This health centre will serve the teeming population of not only Assiga Community, but the entire Yakurr Local Government and beyond.”
“We thank the Federal Government and Pastor Usani Uguru Usani for remembering the people in this part of the country, by putting this project in place,” he stressed.
The Honourable Minister is on a tour of inaugurating completed projects of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs across the nine States in the Niger Delta region,
Stephen Kilebi
Deputy Director
(Press and Public Relations)
