Cross River State has dismissed insinuations that the commissioning of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects in the state on Friday, was disrupted by agents of the state government.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Gill Nsa on Saturday, described the insinuation as inaccurate and politically motivated.
“On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, officially commissioned several NDDC projects in Cross River State.
“These included a newly acquired office complex now serving as the NDDC secretariat in the state, agricultural equipment, and a road project on Idang Street.
“The event was conducted peacefully and broadcast live on TVC, contrary to certain media reports suggesting controversy or disruption.
“The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, was ably represented at the event by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ankpo Edet.
“At no point was the event disrupted, either by the governor or any other state official.
“Governor Otu, a loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), remains committed to supporting federal initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and livelihoods across the state”, the statement said.
According to the statement, the state was the first APC-governed state in the South-South region and continues to benefit significantly from federal government projects.
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The statement maintained that no level of “sponsored blackmail” by fifth columnists would succeed in straining the existing cordial relationship between the state and the federal government, which share a common progressive ideology.
The statement clarified that Nyaghasang Community Road, which was among projects listed for commissioning, but eventually postponed was not initiated by the NDDC but by the state government.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Pius Ankpo stated that “the Nyaghasang Road was initiated and funded by the Cross River State Government.
“We have completed the drainage, concrete works, and channelization of the area, with construction still ongoing.”
He explained that the NDDC was never formally involved in the planning or execution of the project, and emphasized the importance of coordination when implementing infrastructure projects within the state.
According to Edet, the NDDC has been advised that, going forward, it must engage the state government, review the bill of engineering measurement and evaluation, and adhere to state construction standards before undertaking any project.
The statement reiterated the state government’s openness to development partnerships, but emphasized that all interventions must be transparent and coordinated for the greater good of the people.
“We are not in conflict with the NDDC or any federal agency. However, for the sake of public trust and historical accuracy, it is important to state unequivocally that the NDDC projects were commissioned peacefully, and without any form of disruption”, the commissioner added.
Supporting the state government’s position, the Secretary-General of the Nyaghasang Qua Clan Council, Mr. Iso Edim, recalled that Gov. Otu had personally pledged to address the road infrastructure in the community during a health center commissioning in July 2024.
“True to his word, work began on the roads just three weeks later, led by the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure,” he said.
Edim noted that while work was ongoing, the NDDC appeared to have intervened by asphalting certain sections of the road, only to later return and announce a commissioning.
