Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku, has expressed optimism that developmental projects in the Niger Delta would be completed within the shortest time possible.
The minister told a news conference yesterday in Abuja that on his assumption of office on March 5, 2014, the ministry swung into action to expedite action on projects across the Niger Delta.
He said the dualisation of the East–West road, which the ministry took over in 2009 at 10 per cent completion, in spite of major constraints of funding and insecurity, now has overall completion level of about 70 per cent.
He said the total cost of the East-West road “so far is N350 billion,” adding that “so far N270 billion has been disbursed while over N100 billion remains as outstanding on the road.”
He lauded the SURE-P for its immense contribution on the East-West road, adding “SURE -P has allocated between 2012 and 2014, N93.9 billion; we have accessed that of 2012 and 2013 we are waiting to access that of 2014.”
The added that the Ministry in the next one to two months would begin the commissioning of the projects, beginning with the skill acquisition centre in Otuoke, Bayelsa state.
He expressed optimism that the funds from these institutions would facilitate the speedy completion of the projects early next year.
