Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has declared its commitment to accelerating the completion of Army Jetty and its associated facilities at the 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army Barracks in Effurun, Delta State.
In a statement released by the director of corporate affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, the NDDC’s executive director of projects, Sir Victor Antai, stressed the project’s importance during an inspection visit with Brigadier General Eke Odoemele, Commander of the 46 Engineer Brigade.
Antai emphasised the project’s comprehensive nature, including living quarters, administrative buildings, a clinic, helipad, armoury, and fuel storage.
Completion of the jetty project will significantly enhance the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity in the Niger Delta region, reflecting the NDDC‘s commitment to regional security,” Antai highlighted.
Following a tragic incident in Okuoma, Ugheli South local government area of Delta State, Antai reiterated the urgency to resume work on the Army Jetty, which had been delayed for various reasons.
Antai stated: “When completed, the jetty project will be a big operational base for the Nigerian Army in the Niger Delta region. It underscores the importance the NDDC places on the security of lives and property in the region.
“We are keen on executing legacy projects and we believe that this project will add a lot of value to the security infrastructure in Nigeria’s oil-bearing region and improve the maritime activities in the Niger Delta.”
During the project inspection at the 3 Battalion Barracks, the executive director, Projects, once again extended condolences to the families of soldiers who died in the line of duty in Okuoma, Ugheli South local government area of Delta State.
Antai noted that the NDDC managing director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, had pledged to urgently execute the Jetty project after his condolence visit to Major General Jamal Abdussalam at the 6 Division headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He said, “The Managing Director insisted that we undertake this inspection visit to ascertain the actions to be taken to ensure the speedy completion of the jetty and other facilities being built to assist the army in its operations in the Niger Delta region.”
Antai commended the contractor for progress made so far but mentioned that the project had been reassigned to a new contractor to expedite work.
Brigadier Odoemele, speaking for the Nigerian Army, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for undertaking the jetty construction in Effurun and other projects to assist the army in fulfilling its security mandate.
“The jetty will boost our operations in the South-South region, particularly in the maritime environment of the Niger Delta region. It will enhance our operational security and response to security challenges,” he declared.
He observed that the Jetty would enable the army to deploy critical assets for effective patrol to secure waterways and deter criminals.
NDDC‘s director of project monitoring and supervision, Engr. Nelson Onwo, stated that the jetty would have 10 landing bays to accommodate the Nigerian Army‘s operations in the area.
He said the project included several facilities such as a helipad, internal roads, hostel for officers, cafeteria, clinic, fire bay, armoury, fuel dump, and parade grounds.
