…Assures Akugbene of NDDC’s Commitment to Re-award Redesigned Shoreline Contract

By Chancel Bomadi Sunday

BOMADI — Hon. Nicholas Ebomo Mutu, representing Patani/Bomadi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has led a mass registration of new All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Akugbene Wards 7, 8, and 9 of Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State.

The exercise followed a recent defection to the APC and was held during a visit to assess the coastal erosion that has affected the community.

Speaking at the community event center, where residents gathered to welcome him and his delegation, Mutu emphasized the importance of unity and peace among the newly expanded APC family.

“We felt the need to gather at the grassroots level following the open defection ceremony in Asaba. Akugbene—comprising Wards 7, 8, and 9—is now a fully APC community. I urge all new members to register and be active participants in our party,” he said.

On the critical issue of shoreline erosion, Mutu noted that the problem has long plagued the community. He revealed that he had facilitated the award of a foreshore wall project by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to protect the community from further erosion.

However, the project encountered setbacks due to flawed design assumptions by NDDC engineers.

“The original design assumed a flat riverbed, leading to uniform pillar lengths that didn’t suit the varying depths along the waterfront. This flaw only became apparent after the contractor began work. You can still see the abandoned pillars in some parts of the community,” Mutu explained.

He added that he has since worked with the contractor and the NDDC to redesign the project.

“While the redesign process has been slow, there has been substantial progress. God willing, the contract will be re-awarded soon, offering a permanent solution to the erosion menace,” he assured.

In the meantime, Mutu disclosed that he has personally deployed two dredgers to the community as a temporary protective measure until the NDDC remobilizes the contractor.

The lawmaker also highlighted his long-term development plan for the community, which includes expanding settlement away from the eroding shoreline and promoting infrastructural development in the hinterlands.

“My vision includes completing the Bomadi-Gbaregor-Akugbene-Ezebiri road project. This is why I joined our Governor and other leaders in aligning with the APC—to accelerate development in our constituency,” he stated.

Party leaders at the event echoed Mutu’s call for unity and pledged their support toward building a strong APC base in the region.