Ika Federal Constituency, other Delta North communities to enjoy more road infrastructure as Ebie escalates interventions

By GCON Media Team

The Ika Federal Constituency in Delta State, comprising Ika South and Ika North-East Local Government Areas, alongside other local governments in the Delta North Senatorial District, is set to witness significant improvements in road infrastructure.

The driving force behind this renewed wave of development is Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Ebie, who previously served as Commissioner for Higher Education and Secretary to the Delta State Government under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has continued to attract key infrastructural projects to the state.

The road projects, already scoped, approved, and awarded, are located across Ika South, Ika North-East, Aniocha North, and other Local Government Areas.

Proposed roads for construction include the emergency rehabilitation of failed sections of the Onicha-Ugbo–Idumuje-Ugboko Road in Aniocha North Local Government Area and the emergency stabilization/reconstruction of failed portions of the Onicha-Ugbo–Idumuje-Ugboko and Onicha-Ugbo–Isele-Uku roads.

Also slated for construction are: Secondary School Road with spur linking Benin–Asaba Road, Ekwuoma (Ika North-East), Emergency construction of internal roads in DDPA, Agbor (Ika South), Emergency construction of Agbor Urban internal roads.

Others include the emergency construction of Abuda and Odogwu Streets, Agbor; Jerry Close and Sunny Villa Street, Agbor; and Ekuku-Agbor internal roads.

Recall that recently, Ebie, a seasoned lawyer, while presenting financial support and palliatives to victims of the 2024/2025 fire incidents in Ika South and Ika North-East LGAs, emphasized that the new NDDC Board and Management are people-centred, compassionate, and accountable, adding that the Commission is committed to meeting the needs of the people.

According to him, the NDDC will never pander to the whims of individuals with vested interests nor serve such interests.

Earlier in the year, as part of his commitment to improving the lives of the people, the NDDC boss inspected several ongoing NDDC-funded critical projects he attracted to the Ika Federal Constituency, assuring that the Commission would continue to prioritize the needs of the people.

Some of the projects include: the ICT Centre at the Faculty of Law, University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, equipped with modern computers and state-of-the-art information technology facilities, the construction of the first phase of the failed portion of the Umunede/Umutu Road by Pan Ocean Flow Station, Owa-Alidinma (Ika North-East LGA), among others

Upon arrival at the University of Delta, Mr. Ebie and his entourage were received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stella Chinyere Chiemeke, alongside other principal officers of the institution.

The University leadership expressed delight over the visit and applauded the NDDC’s contributions to enhancing quality education in a conducive environment.

The Vice-Chancellor, overflowing with appreciation, said: “I acknowledged your huge intervention projects through the NDDC in my speech delivered during the just-concluded 4th Founder’s Day of the institution. We will continue to thank you and, like Oliver Twist, ask for more. For now, you have done enough for the Faculty of Law. I appeal that you come to our aid in other areas such as the provision of buses for the institution. We are proud of you and your outstanding leadership at the NDDC. This is a testament to your track record.”

Responding, Ebie expressed joy over the completion of the ICT Centre installation, saying it would greatly enhance learning. He assured the institution that its requests would always be given due consideration and urged the management to consistently uphold high academic standards.

The NDDC boss also inspected the first phase of the reconstruction of the failed portion of the Umunede/Umutu Road by Pan Ocean Flow Station, Owa-Alidinma.

He urged the contractor to ensure a quality job capable of checking the flooding that has long plagued the area.

He later told newsmen that the intervention would continue along the entire stretch of the road down to Ute Erumu, where another major section has collapsed.

Beyond road infrastructure, under the NDDC’s “Light Up Niger Delta Programme,” Ebie facilitated the installation of thousands of solar streetlights across the Ika Federal Constituency, thereby boosting economic and social activities and improving the overall quality of life in the communities.

In April 2024, during the second Founder’s Day celebration and fundraising for the Ika Language and Cultural Research Centre at the University of Delta, Ebie, on behalf of the Ebie family, instituted an annual award for the best graduating medical student.

According to him, the award, which will be reviewed after five years, is in honour of his father, the pioneer Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), the late Professor John Ebie.