{
  "id": 18215201,
  "title": "Rivers community leaders hail NDDC over bridge project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/rivers-community-leaders-hail-nddc-over-bridge-project",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T00:48:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/rivers-community-leaders-hail-nddc-over-bridge-project/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Community leaders in Ataba Kingdom, located in Rivers State's Andoni Local Government Area, have praised the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for completing the Kaa-Ataba Road and Bridge project. This significant infrastructure development has connected Kaa in Khana Local Government Area to Ataba, ending decades of isolation and hardship for riverine communities in Andoni. Chief John Ekwang, Head Chief of Ogogo Village, expressed his joy over the bridge, which he considers the longest in the Niger Delta. For years, people of Ataba and neighboring communities had to rely on wooden boats to reach mainland markets, schools, and hospitals, resulting in loss of life, farm produce, and economic opportunities. Ekwang emphasized that the NDDC has \"wiped our tears\" by finally delivering a bridge. The Chairman of Ataba's Elders Forum, Mr. ThankGod Egart, also commended the bridge for transforming the socio-economic life of Andoni people, reducing transport costs, boosting trade, and enhancing security. The Kaa-Ataba Bridge project consists of a 1.2-kilometer main bridge with 57 piers, a 250-meter second bridge with 15 piers, and a 2-kilometer double-lane road connecting Khana and Andoni local government areas. The NDDC stated that the bridge is among several legacy projects completed under the current Board and Management led by Chairman Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, in line with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.",
  "summary": "Community leaders in Ataba, Rivers State, have commended the NDDC for the Kaa-Ataba Road and Bridge project, which ends decades of isolation for them. Read More: https://punchng.com/rivers-community-leaders-hail-nddc-over-bridge-project/",
  "key_points": [
    "NDDC completes Kaa-Ataba Bridge project.",
    "Bridges isolation, connects communities.",
    "Enhances socio-economic life, trade."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Connecting previously isolated riverine communities to mainland markets and essential services transforms the local economy by reducing transport costs and ending decades of hardship for the Andoni people.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}