Leadership That Delivers: Specific Project Impacts Under Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE

Writen By Comrade Amb victor M Olajide 

NEWS. SPORTS. ENTERTAINMENT 

Under the stewardship of Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE, the Ministry has shifted from broad promises to concrete, measurable outcomes—particularly through oversight of regional development commissions like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North East Development Commission (NEDC), and others. Despite persistent funding constraints (with only about 40% of budgeted funds released in key years), Momoh's emphasis on efficiency, completion of abandoned projects, and strategic partnerships has yielded visible, transformative impacts across Nigeria's regions.

These achievements focus on infrastructure that unlocks economic potential, improves livelihoods, enhances connectivity, boosts access to power, health, education, and water, and fosters inclusion—especially for youth, women, and underserved communities. Here are some of the most impactful specific projects and their real-world effects:

- **7.3-Kilometre Oyigbo Road Network (Rivers State, Inaugurated February 2025)**:  

  This vital road traverses Obunku, Umuosi, Obeakpu, Mgboji, and Ndoki communities in Oyigbo LGA. By providing reliable all-season access, it has dramatically reduced travel times, lowered transportation costs for farmers and traders, stimulated local commerce, and strengthened inter-community ties. The project, executed by the NDDC under Momoh's supervision, exemplifies how targeted road infrastructure revives economic activity in previously isolated areas.

- **Mgboji-Umuagbu Akwete Road Reconstruction (Flag-off 2025)**:  

  Linking Rivers, Abia, and Akwa Ibom states, this cross-state connectivity project enhances regional trade corridors, facilitates movement of goods and people, and supports agricultural value chains—directly contributing to job creation and poverty reduction in multi-state border communities.

- **600-Meter Bridge over the Bay of Nubes (Niger Delta)**:  

  Completion of this long-abandoned structure has restored safe passage across a critical waterway, eliminating dangerous makeshift crossings, reducing accident risks, and enabling consistent access to markets, schools, and healthcare for thousands in surrounding communities.

- **Rehabilitation of Critical Road Networks (Various Niger Delta States)**:  

  Projects such as the Gberegolor-Ogriagbene Road (Delta State), Okpuala-Iguruta Road Phase I (Imo State), Oron Road Phase I (Edo State), and Onuakpaka Link Bridge (Imo State) have reconnected isolated settlements, boosted intra-regional trade, improved emergency response times, and attracted private investment by making logistics more viable.

- **Power Infrastructure Enhancements**:  

  Completion of a 50 KVA transmission station has expanded reliable electricity access in parts of the Niger Delta. Additionally, installation of over 257 solar streetlights has improved nighttime safety, extended business hours for small enterprises, and reduced crime in rural and semi-urban areas.

- **Health and Humanitarian Interventions**:  

  NDDC's free medical programmes treated over 32,000 patients in a single year, delivering surgeries, treatments, and preventive care to underserved populations—directly saving lives and reducing health disparities.

- **Human Capital and Education Investments**:  

  Ongoing scholarship schemes support hundreds of students annually (including international Master's programmes in science and technology), building a skilled workforce. Complementary efforts include school rehabilitations, solar lighting on campuses, digital learning tools, and laboratory upgrades (e.g., UNIBEN chemistry lab), empowering youth and women through education and opportunity.

- **Water and Environmental Projects**:  

  Community water schemes in areas like Mwole and Oweretsa have provided clean water access, reducing waterborne diseases and freeing time (especially for women and children) previously spent fetching water.

- **Emerging Initiatives**:  

  Momoh has driven forward-thinking projects like the proposed Niger Delta Ferry Services (NDFS) under Public-Private Partnership to revive water transportation, connecting remote riverine communities and unlocking economic potential in hard-to-reach areas. Inspections of major works like the Kaa-Ataba Bridge (Rivers State, targeted completion December 2025) demonstrate his hands-on push for timely delivery.

These projects—many revived from abandonment—have collectively created thousands of direct and indirect jobs, enhanced food security through better market access, promoted social inclusion, and aligned with national goals like the Renewed Hope Agenda. By prioritizing value-for-money execution, multi-sectoral collaboration (with states, development partners like the EU, and private entities), and rigorous oversight, Minister Momoh continues to prove that focused, transparent leadership can deliver extraordinary regional impact even amid resource limitations.

As Nigeria pursues balanced growth, these tangible results under Engr. Abubakar Momoh stand as powerful evidence: effective governance doesn't just build structures—it builds futures, restores hope, and propels entire regions toward sustainable prosperity.