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Tag: Alabo Boma Iyaye

  • NDDC is creating evenly-balanced opportunities through NDSF, says Iyaye

    NDDC is creating evenly-balanced opportunities through NDSF, says Iyaye

    Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) as an intervention project of the  Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was designed to include all youths in the region irrespective of gender and physical abilities.

    Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Executive Director Finance and Administration explained the intent behind the design while on a television show yesterday , saying  it speaks to global practises of inclusivity in sports and other aspects of life.

    Explaining the rationale for including Para-Athletics and Para-lifting in the 17 games festival event, Iyaye said: “There are youths in the region with physical disabilities and they must enjoy the benefits of the NDDC intervention.

    “At the international level, we have the Paralympic Games organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cater for persons with physical disabilities and the Niger Delta Sports Festival cannot deviate from the international best practices” remarked Iyaye who also serves as the Chairman of the NDSF Main Organising Committee (MOC).”

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    He also spoke of the reason behind the NDDC’s  decision to extend its intervention program to Sports, noting that: “Sports is a powerful tool for national unity. We want to provide a platform for youths in the nine mandate states of NDDC to bond, to know each other and find expression for their talents.

    “There is a need to regenerate the line of supply of athletes to represent Nigeria as a country in international sports competitions and the festival will afford us the opportunity to discover new talents that will be nurtured to replace the likes of Blessing Okagbere, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Blessing Oborodudu, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amuneke, Seun Ogunkoya and many others.”

    The NDDC since founded by an act of parliament in July 2000 has championed the provision of infrastructure in roads, health care, education and skills acquisition.

    Iyaye said that delving into sports would enable those who may not be successful in education and artisan skills to build a career in sports.

    The Niger Delta Sports Festival which started with trials in the local government and federal constituencies will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8. About 3000 athletes will compete in 17 sports.

  • How to hasten growth of Niger Delta communities, by agency’s chief

    How to hasten growth of Niger Delta communities, by agency’s chief

    To hasten the growth of Niger Delta communities, the people must embrace designated projects, shun politics and support the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to achieve its mandate.

    NDDC’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, gave this charge at a stakeholders’ interactive forum on the proposed Boroki-Okrika Bridge in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Stressing the need for the people to work with the agency for the good of all, Iyaye said the bridge was a significant initiative that would drive progress in Rivers.

    He said Borokiri and Okrika were key hubs in the oil and gas industry that played crucial roles in the economic advancement of Niger Delta and the nation.

    He said the people’s needs should precede political considerations, adding that development thrives in a peaceful environment.

    Iyaye said the 3.65-kilometre Okrika-Borokiri Road with three bridges would connect Kolabi, Abotoru, and Okpoka creeks to Port Harcourt. The project would benefit the people, as it would connect several communities to the state capital.

    When completed, the road would reduce traffic on the refinery axis of the East-West Road, providing an alternative route to Okrika, Iyaye said.

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    “For us to succeed, we need everybody’s cooperation. We need the cooperation of the traditional institutions, the state governments and the youths”, he said, adding: “Although this project was awarded in 2012, it has faced delays for various reasons. Upon the inauguration of the current NDDC Board, we prioritised completing this significant project, viewing it as a legacy initiative alongside the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni local government areas.”

    “Before proceeding with the project, we felt it was necessary to hold this interactive session, which is essential for fostering cooperation and creating a supportive environment for the contractors to ensure timely completion”, Iyaye said.

    He added: “For us in the commission, we believe this project must be completed. This project was started by other successive administrations of the NDDC in 2012. Unfortunately, the project was stalled for many years.

    “So, we felt that we cannot just restart this project without watering the ground. It will be unfair for the owners to suddenly see contractors on site without speaking to them. That is why we organised this interactive forum. With this, you will be aware that this project is coming back and be prepared to give the contractor the necessary cooperation to make sure that the project is completed in record time.”

    In his goodwill message, the Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, Okrika, King Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo, pledged his people’s support for the project’s timely completion.

    His Bolo Kingdom counterpart, King Micah Frank, advised Niger Deltans to desist from mixing politics with development, stating: “We will ensure that this project is executed to the letter.”

    The representative of Okrika in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Linda Somiari, said things were changing with the way NDDC was tackling the region’s development challenges.

    Speaking on behalf of other stakeholders, Dr Sampson Parker, a former Commissioner for Health in Rivers, said the bridge represented a vision that would act as a catalyst for the socio-economic revitalisation of the communities.