By Kelvin Obambon
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has come out to clarify the status of a road project in Cross River that caused a minor misunderstanding between the state government and the federal government agency.
Recall that the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, the management and governing board of NDDC, and the Senate Committee that performs oversight on the Commission were in Calabar on Friday 13 June, 2025, to inaugurate the state office and also commission road projects in Calabar as part of activities to mark 25th anniversary of the interventionist agency.
However, some media reports alleged that the ceremony was disrupted by hoodlums who prevented the team from commissioning the road project at Nyaghasang, claiming the project was executed by the Cross River state government, and not the NDDC.
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But addressing a press conference in Calabar on Saturday 14 June, 2025, the Commissioner representing Cross River in NDDC, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke PhD, confirmed that the road project at Nyaghasang is actually a state government project, hence it was not commissioned.
Duke explained that the project was at 80 percent completion when the NDDC came in to asphalt a small section of the road. “I am here to reiterate and tell you bluntly, the Nyaghasang project does not belong to NDDC. If you have evidence to the contrary bring your award of contact letter. Bring your vouchers and payment receipt.”
He emphasized that NDDC is not competing with the state government, instead the Commission seeks to collaborate and complement the government in critical areas of intervention. He lauded Governor Bassey Edet Otu for the massive infrastructural projects embarked upon since assumption of office.
The Commissioner further stated that as an APC State, Governor Otu’s policies and programmes broadly align with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, hence there is no conflict between NDDC as a federal government agency and the state government. He said the governor has consistently advocated for even spread of NDDC projects across the three senatorial districts to eliminate the feeling of marginalization within the state.
The press conference was attended by Cross River State Commissioners for Information, Erasmus Ekpang; Works and Infrastructure, Pius Ankpo; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Nsa Gill, and other top media aides of the governor.
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