By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Sept 11, 2026
PORT HARCOURT — The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intensified construction work on the strategic Kaa-Ataba Bridge and Road project in Rivers State, driving towards its scheduled official commissioning in November 2026.
The high-impact infrastructure link aims to transform transport dynamics in hard-to-reach coastal corridors across the region, connecting disconnected communities to broader economic opportunities.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed the expedited timeline during an extensive inspection tour of the construction zone. Ogbuku revealed that the first major bridge alignment, which spans an impressive 1.2 kilometers, is on track for structural completion within two weeks.
In addition to the main span, auxiliary works are advancing steadily. Road surface preparation and pavement works leading toward the second bridge abutment are progressing rapidly, with completion expected within seven days.
Constructing critical infrastructure within the complex riverine ecosystems of the Niger Delta presents intense engineering hurdles. Chief Ogbuku noted that the project team faced persistent tidal fluctuations, delicate ecological environments, and difficult natural conditions typical of the region’s marine terrain.
Despite these environmental headwinds, the commission implemented simultaneous execution strategies—working on multiple construction phases concurrently to preserve project momentum.
”While tidal and natural challenges have tested our logistics, our engineering teams are pushing forward simultaneously across several fronts,” Ogbuku said. “Different technical aspects of the construction are moving at an accelerated pace, ensuring we meet our delivery milestones without compromising structural integrity.”
Chief Ogbuku expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained backing and consistent funding interventions for the commission. He emphasized that the administration’s support has enabled the NDDC to prioritize high-value, transformative infrastructure that addresses historical deficits across coastal communities.
The Kaa-Ataba Bridge project serves as a cornerstone of the NDDC’s policy shift from short-term interventions toward executing durable, long-term legacy projects. Upon completion, the bridge will drastically cut transit times, enhance intra-state commerce, safeguard commuter safety, and stimulate market access for agrarian and fishing settlements along the axis.
As construction enters its final phases, local business groups and community stakeholders have welcomed the progress, viewing the upcoming November commissioning as a catalyst for local economic development.
