Photo Caption
Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi (M) and the rep. of the Hon. Minister, MNDA, Arc. Bala Agbu in a group photograph with officials of the Ministry and Management Team of Unical during the courtesy visit to the VC on Tuesday, 5th April 2022 in Calabar, Cross Rivers State
Federal Government through the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs has handed over completed Community Hall located in University of Calabar, Cross Rivers to the Community as one of the quick win intervention projects of the Ministry.
The handing over was performed by the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio ,CON, who was represented by the Deputy Director Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Architect Bala Agbu on Tuesday, 5 April 2022 in Cross River State.
He said that the Ministry commenced the construction of Quick Win Intervention Projects in 2017 as a palliative approach with the goal of improving the quality of life of the people of the Niger Delta Region noting the importance of the multi- use community hall cannot be over stressed, which could be used for wide range of local activities and services such as Childcare provision, social and recreational meetings amongst others.
In his words, “It’s worthy to note that other Community Halls are now completed and going to be handed over in other communities of the Niger Delta region. More of these halls are still under construction and more are expected to commence in 2022”.
In a related development, the Hon. Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio also commissioned and handed over completed blocks of 10 classrooms to a community in Ntok-Mkpe, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State.
He said that the construction of the 10 classroom blocks being handed over is also one of the gains and achievements recorded under the Change Agenda of the Federal Government under the leadership of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR”.
Akpabio stated that all aspects of the project construction were awarded to indigenous and local contractors.
“I am certain that the construction process has benefitted the community through the created employment opportunities for the youths of the host and neighbouring communities, he stressed.
The Minister urged the community to be dedicated to the protection and maintenance of the facilities provided adding that the exercise is an eloquent testimony to the unflinching commitment of the Federal Government toward redressing the inequalities pervasive in the Niger Delta Region. “It is only the beginning; the Ministry is passionately seeking better and faster ways of delivering on its mandate”, Akpabio reiterated.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babayo Ardo represented by the Assistant Director, HUD, Project Officer Cross Rivers State, Arc. David Otom stated that the facility is one out of the many projects being developed by the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs, in each of the nine Niger Delta States.
According to him, “in spite of the many challenges encountered in the course of realizing this project, it is gratifying to note that the Ministry has enjoyed the commitment, cooperation and assistance of the youth, elders, and educational authority of the host Ntok-Mkpe,Akpabuyo community. He reiterated the commitment and promise of the Government to better the lot of the people of the Niger Delta remains irrevocable noting that, it is one of the concrete pieces of evidence of the commitment and legacy of this administration.
In his response, the Village Head, Honourable Emmanuel Ekpo Archibong who commended the Federal Government for aiding Education in his community with the provision of 10 classroom blocks urged the Ministry to provide medical facilities for the community to ease access to health services.
Also, the Head teacher, Community Primary School, Pastor Linus Edem Bassey expressed his gratitude for the development and urged the Ministry to do more.
