By Ogochukwu Isioma
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for accelerated infrastructure delivery and project efficiency in the state.
The Governor stated this during a high-level courtesy visit to the NDDC office in Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo, while speaking during the visit, commended what he called NDDC’s longstanding partnership with Edo State.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Development Partners, Hon. Collins Edomaruse, the Governor said the visit was part of a deliberate and strategic move to deepen collaboration and enhance development outcomes in Edo State.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Okpebholo, Hon. Edomaruse lauded the NDDC’s numerous interventions in Edo State, describing them as impressive and impactful.
He emphasised the need to sustain and strengthen the working relationship between the Commission and the state government under Senator Okpebholo.
The Special Adviser, however, raised a concern based on reports that some NDDC contractors were reluctant to execute projects in Edo State due to alleged delays in payment after project completion.
He lamented that: “This has, unfortunately, discouraged some of the contractors and inadvertently slowed down the pace of development in the state.”
Hon. Edomaruse urged the Commission to ensure that deserving contractors were promptly paid to motivate sustained commitment and enhance developmental outcomes.
Responding, the NDDC management, represented by Deputy Director and Head of Projects, Mrs. Adesuwa Jane Fregene, acknowledged the issue and noted that the Commission was aware and already working to resolve it.
Mrs. Fregene attributed the delays to the unique standards being upheld by the Benin office of NDDC, stating, “When it comes to project execution, some infractions contractors engage in elsewhere and get away with are not tolerated in Edo State.”
She continued: “Here, we prioritize quality over quantity. If contractors meet job specifications and deliver quality work, they will be paid. No one withholds their payment unjustly.”
She, however, appreciated the Governor’s proactive engagement and emphasised that NDDC remained committed to supporting Senator Okpebholo’s developmental agenda.
“We want to thank His Excellency for taking the time to bring these issues to our attention. As the saying goes, knowing the problem is half the solution. We assure him of our support and our resolve to deliver projects he and the people of Edo will be proud of,” she stated.
The NDDC deputy director revealed that, going forward, the Commission has resolved to strengthen projects supervision regime during execution to ensure that contractors complied with standards and specifications.
Also speaking, Hon. Fred Ofume, a representative of the NDDC Governing Board Chairman, Barr. Chiedu Ebie, reiterated that standard and quality remained non-negotiable under the current leadership. He noted that the Chairman Ebie, was a firm believer in excellence and accountability.
As part of the resolutions, the need for broader stakeholder engagement was mooted to ensure mutual understanding and smooth execution of future interventions.
The visit marks a significant step in fostering transparency, reinforcing institutional trust, and ensuring the joint delivery of sustainable development projects for the people of Edo State under the administration of Senator Okpebholo.
The meeting featured frank discussions on the current state of projects in the state, key observations from the field, and pathways to deepening collaboration and partnership.
