The Niger Delta Development Commission said it would soon start the procurement process for the award of contract for the shore protection and erosion control of the Odi community shoreline in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this at a reception after inspecting some parts of Odi ravaged by erosion.
This was contained in a statement issued by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr Ibitoye Abosede, in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The statement quoted Ogbuku as saying that the commission would not relent in its drive to provide basic infrastructure in communities across the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC boss further said no effort would be spared in protecting coastal communities in the region.
He stated, “In the next couple of weeks we will start the procurement process for the shore protection project. We will also provide solar street lights in the town.”
Ogbuku said it was necessary to visit Odi town to engage with the stakeholders in the community and personally assess the challenges facing the community.
“The NDDC management under my leadership believes in stakeholders’ engagement. This visit is part of that engagement. If you don’t come down to the community to see things for yourself, there is no way you can appreciate the challenges facing the people,” he said.
Earlier, while welcoming the delegation from the NDDC, the Secretary of the Odi Council of Chiefs, Chief Truman Abiama, who spoke on behalf of the Amananoowei of Odi Kingdom, King Shine Apre, commended the leadership of the NDDC for choosing the option of visiting the community to inspect the erosion that was adversely affecting the community,
In his remarks, the Coordinator, Independent Council for President Bola Tinubu in Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba, said he was relieved to learn that the NDDC was intervening to save Odi from the ravages of erosion and landslide.
