N-Delta leaders’ demands release of N100b for the completion of the East-West road project

By Atevure Princess,

Leaders and stakeholders from oil and gas producing communities in Niger Delta region have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the N100billion approved for the reconstruction and completion of the East-West road project, being handled by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

This demand was made known in a press release on Wednesday, (5th April), signed by the National Chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria HOSTCOM, Chief Benjamin Tamaranebi, and National Secretary, Dr Peter Egedegbe.

The leaders pledged to work with Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Interim Management Committee of NDDC and every stakeholder to ensure speedy human and infrastructural development in Niger Delta, to enhance the political, social and cultural well being of the people from the region.

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“We are calling on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio to urgently review and complete the East-West road project, which has been under construction for many years.

 

“The Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari should release the N100billion for the completion of the project. The East-West road is the only project connecting all the oil and gas-bearing States in Nigeria. Its completion will ease smooth movements of goods and services within the region”.

 

HOSTCOM also condemned the flaring of gas in Niger Delta by multinationals and cautioned the multinationals and indigenous oil firms to ensure to abide by the 2020 zero-gas flare as agreed to end gas flaring in Nigeria.

 

“We are also in total agreement with President Buhari on the forensic audits in NDDC and appointment of Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei as Acting Managing Director of Interim Management Committee of NDDC. We are hopeful that this will bring an end to the sharp practices, mismanagement and diversion of resources over the years in NDDC, largely responsible for the underdevelopment and impoverishment in the region”.