President Bola Tinubu has pledged to complete the rehabilitation of the East-West Road, a crucial link between Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states.Ireporteronline reports that this announcement was made on Friday during the conclusion of a three-day Stakeholders Summit organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
Represented by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu emphasized his administration’s support for the NDDC in delivering his Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes food security, poverty alleviation, inclusivity, job creation, anti-corruption measures, and the rule of law.
“I am aware of the many complaints about NDDC, but I assure you that this time around, we will change the narrative for the benefit of the Niger Delta people,” Tinubu stated, urging a shift in the commission’s approach to effectively transform the region.
Tinubu highlighted his commitment to sustainable development in the Niger Delta and assured that the East-West Road project would be addressed.
Senate President Akpabio revealed that Tinubu had authorized the NDDC to secure a ₦1 trillion loan to complete all abandoned projects in the region.
Additionally, Tinubu has assured that the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project would commence simultaneously from both states.
“The National Assembly is satisfied with what the NDDC management and board are doing, and we will do everything possible to ensure the East-West Road is completed within our tenure. It is no longer a question of funds but of committing to spend NDDC funds only in the Niger Delta,” Akpabio said.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who chaired the summit, noted that the NDDC was originally set up to provide infrastructure, improve the environment, and enhance livelihoods.
He criticized past deviations from this purpose but acknowledged the positive changes under the current leadership.
“Since the inception of this leadership, people of the Niger Delta have seen some light. I encourage the political class not to overstretch the NDDC management and board, so they can perform the mandate given to them,” Jonathan said, urging the completion of abandoned projects across the nine NDDC states.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa appealed to the Federal Government to address the dire conditions at the Okogbe axis of the East-West Road in Rivers.
He recounted how a typically one-hour trip to Port Harcourt for the summit took nearly four hours due to the road’s poor state.
“The National Assembly should make the issue of the uncompleted East-West Road a national priority,” Diri urged.
Minister of Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh, stressed the need for the region to diversify its economy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
He noted that the NDDC had engaged a construction firm for remedial work on the East-West Road to alleviate the suffering of road users.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, assured continued close collaboration with the commission to meet the region’s needs.
He highlighted the significance of the NDDC working with a budget approved by the National Assembly for the first time in years.
Former Cross River Governor Donald Duke called for enhanced collaboration between the NDDC and state governors to address the region’s issues, emphasizing the need to end conflicts over project ownership and duplication.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, assured summit participants that their recommendations would be adopted to improve the region’s fortunes.
Notable attendees included Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Dr. Alex Otti of Abia, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, represented by their deputies, along with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the state Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, also spoke on the need for sustainable peace and security in the Niger Delta, highlighting the Army’s efforts in the region….READ FULL ARTICLE
