Abubakar Momoh, Nigeria’s minister of Regional Development, has arrived Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to begin a three-day inspection tour of key projects inspect embarked on or completed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Momoh spoke with newsmen on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Thursday, August 7, 2025, sating the visit is in line with the wishes of President Bola Tinubu for effective project delivery in the Niger Delta. The Minister was directly in charge of the NDDC before a restructuring made him in charge of all regional development commissions.
According to arrangements by the NDDC, the visit will see the minister inspect the highly important Kaa-Ataba Bridge which links Khana LGA and Andoni LGA, all in Rivers State.
He is billed to also familiarise himself with issues of staff welfare and others.
The Kaa-Ataba Bridge holds huge community expectations because it was awarded in 2009 but abandoned by two different contractors.
Now, funding is coming from the support given by President for completion of legacy project in the Niger Delta by the NDDC under a special N1trn provision.
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The bridge, part of a larger road and bridge project, aims to connect two important LGAs and is designed to improve transportation and socioeconomic activities in the region. Construction was ongoing as of late June 2025, with 70% of the project already achieved, according to the NDDC.
The Minister would find a two-km double-lane single carriageway with two bridges, part of a 30-kilometer road. The bridge is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve access to agricultural areas, and decrease reliance on water transport, potentially boosting economic activities. The key joint venture oil companies in Andoni area are expected to benefit from easier transportation to their oil wells and host community trust fund projects spread in the area.
The Minister is also billed to visit the Cardiovascular Health Centre at Braitwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), now Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, which specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and blood vessel conditions.
They offer a range of services including diagnostic tests, non-invasive treatments, and interventional cardiology, with a team of experienced cardiologists and advanced technology. Their interest in non-invasive treatment has attracted attention from far and near as the center is staffed with highly trained cardiologists and cardio-thoracic surgeons. They are known to be equipped with the latest technology to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatment.
The details of the interest by the NDDC and the Ministry are not clear but the inspection by the special guest will definitely place the centre on a very high list of specialist centres in Nigeria plus support from the NDDC.
The Minister is to pay visit to a gathering of traditional rulers in the Khana and Andoni axis as well as pay a courtesy call on Ibok ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
A major assignment by the Minister on the second day may be a talk with the NDDC workers that may dwell on their welfare and job security.
