President Bola Tinubu has said that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is truly making positive impacts on the Niger Delta region.

Mr Tinubu made the statement while inaugurating a 600-meter-long bridge in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom.

Represented by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Mr Tinubu said that the commission had directly touched the lives of Niger Delta people in different ways.

He said the bridge, which linked 20 communities, would enhance socio-economic interactions among residents of the affected communities.

Mr Tinubu said economic activities, education and social interaction would flourish because of the bridge.

“The current management of NDDC has positively touched the lives of the people of Niger Delta in just one year in office,” he said.

The bridge, a component of the Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opolom-Okoroutip-Iwouchang Road, was completed by NDDC.

The president said the commission did well by constructing the Okitipupa electricity substation that connected five local government areas in Ondo to the national grid.

“This substation is going to serve 64 communities. I can tell you that you have brought hope to the people. Since the year 2000, NDDC has remained focused and committed to the welfare of the people of Niger Delta.

“Today, you have given the people of Ibeno an access to civilisation, these communities can now be accessed with ease,” he said.

The president urged NDDC to evolve programmes that would empower Niger Delta people to participate actively in agriculture for massive food production.

”The region has an environment that is agriculture-friendly. We need to tap into this opportunity,” he said.

Abubakar Momoh, the minister of Niger Delta Development, described the 600-metre bridge as a product of good thinking and hard work.

“It shows that the ministry and the commission understand the challenges of the people. The communities linked by this bridge were separated, today they can access themselves and relate socially and economically,” he said.

Governor Umo Eno commended the commission for implementing the project.

Akon Ayakenyi, Eno lauded the NDDC for taking steps towards providing a better quality of life for Niger Delta people.

Earlier, Sam Ogbuku, the managing director of NDDC, thanked the president for his support of the commission.

(NAN)