Calabar, Cross River State – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has delivered over 30 boats to riverine communities across Cross River State, providing critical support to residents recovering from recent severe flooding.
This development, announced by Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the Commissioner representing Cross River State on the NDDC board, is aimed at alleviating the damage and hardship caused by the floods, particularly in rural areas heavily impacted by the disaster.
Speaking to the press in Calabar on Thursday, the Cross River State capital, Duke emphasised that these boats are part of a broader relief package designed to aid those displaced and economically affected by the floods.
“These boats are part of the palliatives for flood victims that were supposed to be sent three months ago. They were not delivered, so I had to order for them and insisted on having the Cross River state quota sent, which they did,” Duke explained. The Commissioner expressed his relief that the boats had arrived, even though they fell short of the state’s broader needs.
Duke revealed that while many communities had been impacted, the available boats were strategically distributed, focusing on the riverine areas in the southern part of the state.
Beneficiary communities included Esuk Atu, Obufa Esuk Orok, Idang, Anantigha/Jebbs, Esiere Ebom, Duke Town, Volvo Market, and Lemna Beach within Calabar municipality. Additionally, ten boats were sent to Adiabo and Odukpani to cover Adiabo and Ikot Offiong Beaches.
“This is just a token from the NDDC as part of the palliatives that had been previously distributed,” Duke stated. “We felt it was crucial to share these now, given the ongoing election season, which has encouraged a lot of movement and campaigning. We don’t yet know when other items, like the cassava processing machines, will arrive, so it was essential to make these available now,” he added.
Cross River’s Share of NDDC Projects Still a “Work in Progress”
When questioned about whether Cross River State had received its fair share of NDDC projects and resources, Duke responded that securing equitable resources has been a complex process.
“To claim our fair share, it’s essential to understand everything that has been in progress,” he noted. “The damage that was done over the years requires a significant amount of unravelling. For now, it’s still a work in progress.”
Duke explained that the current budgetary constraints have impacted the NDDC’s operational reach. With a proposed N1.9 trillion budget for the year, the Commission has yet to approve a N1 trillion loan for which presidential approval has been secured. This delay in budgetary approval has forced the NDDC to rely on up to 50% of last year’s budget to cover ongoing expenses, including staff salaries and essential projects.
The Commissioner expressed his hope that in the coming months, Cross River would be able to secure more robust allocations from the NDDC, including benefits from the state’s oil wells and other remedial measures. “By November 26, we’ll mark one year in office, and we hope that with the new data gathering and remedial measures, we’ll be able to advocate more effectively for Cross River,” he said.
NDDC’s Commitment to Transparent, Equitable Resource Distribution
The boat distribution is part of the NDDC’s broader initiative to ensure transparency and fairness in its programmes, following a series of reforms intended to address historical issues of misallocation. Recent months have seen the Commission deliver streetlights and other community incentives as part of a transparent approach to development initiatives.
With ongoing reforms and a push for equitable distribution, Duke remains optimistic that Cross River will increasingly benefit from NDDC projects. “It is essential for all our communities to know the NDDC is here to support them, and we’re actively working to ensure Cross River gets the full value of its participation,” Duke concluded.
This recent boat distribution marks a step forward for flood-impacted communities in Cross River, providing immediate assistance while underscoring the broader challenges the NDDC faces in ensuring development resources reach those who need them most.
