From: Paul Osuyi, Asaba

A former member of the House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the ongoing rehabilitation work on the failed portion of Onicha-Ugbo/Ugboko axis of the Abuja-Asaba-Onitsha highway.

The failed portion stretching over two kilometers became very deplorable at the peak of last year’s rainy season, leading to its abandonment by motorists who hitherto plied it.

For those who dared using it at the time, they stood the risk of either being attacked by hoodlums or having their vehicles stuck in the deep gullies.

But the road is now wearing a new look, and motorists have resumed plying it, as it provides the fastest route to Abuja, the nation’s capital and other northern cities.

Prince Nwoko, a native of Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, praised the NDDC for coming to the rescue of the communities that the road traversed, saying that the economic and social lives of residents were adversely affected when the road was very bad.

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He, therefore, said the rehabilitation of the failed portion was a big relief not only to communities within the axis but the road users as well, explaining that he in conjunction with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, a native of Onicha-Ugbo had earlier intervened

“So when there was this bad spot, it was a major concern to us but I am very happy and excited and grateful to to my two brothers – Uche Okpuno of ULO and Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of Petroleum.

“After discussing with them, we put our heads together and said this road must be attended to. Even without any money being paid to the contractor, they mobilized to site because of the urgency and importance of the road.

“As I talk to you now, no money has been paid to the contractor except that I and the minister guaranteed the work that if NDDC did not pay, we will pay, that is why this road is being done,” Nwoko who represented Aniocha/Oshimili constituency between 2003 and 2007 disclosed.

Representative of the contracting firm, ULO Consultant Limited, Gabriel Okpuno assured that the job would be hundred percent completed before the weekend.