As part of the first anniversary celebrations of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) and its joint venture partners – Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), TotalEnergies, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) – in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have commissioned the 25.7km Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State.
In a statement released on Tuesday by NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the N24.5 billion project traverses mangrove forests with seven bridges and five culverts, connecting 14 communities.
At the commissioning ceremony held in Nembe on Monday, the Minister of the Niger Delta, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who represented President Tinubu, highlighted the project’s alignment with the president’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.
“This project is evidence of what good partnerships can bring to communities,” said the president, urging other oil companies to collaborate with NNPCL and NDDC to deliver transformative projects.
Bala Wunti, NNPC’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer, represented by Obinna Aralu, expressed satisfaction with the road’s completion, describing it as “a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision.” He noted that the road symbolizes progress, connectivity, and opportunities for the Nembe people through seamless transportation, increased economic activities, and an overall improvement in the quality of life.
Wunti thanked all partners and stakeholders for their contributions to the successful delivery of the project.
SPDC’s Managing Director and Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, highlighted the transformative impact of the project, stressing that it “will connect communities to the city center, boost economic activities, and reduce risks associated with river transport.” Okunbor reiterated Shell’s commitment to partnering with government agencies to deliver projects beneficial to the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.
NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the commission’s dedication to completing projects across the Niger Delta that serve urgent community needs.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended the NDDC, NNPC Ltd, and its partners for the project.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by top government officials and traditional rulers from Bayelsa State, including the Senate Committee Chairman on Niger Delta, Sen. Asuquo Ekpeyong; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Senu; Chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie; the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmund Daukoru, Mingi XII; and the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, King Dumaro Charles Owaba III.
The completion and commissioning of the Ogbia-Nembe Road mark a significant milestone in ongoing efforts by NNPC Limited and its partners to enhance infrastructure and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
