Minister Begins Consultations with Govs, Monarchs on Poor State of East West Road

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja 

The Minister in charge of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD), Abubakar Momoh, has begun consultations with state governors in the region on the deplorable  state of the East West Road to ensure that the roads, which connect virtually all the states of the South-south region, receive the best of attention under his leadership.

Momoh began the consultation with a courtesy call on the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Baasey Eno, in his office in Uyo in continuation of his tour of states under the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

The Head (Press & PR) in the ministry, 

Chindaya Ahmadu, stated that at the meeting, Momoh called for the understanding of all the governors in the region for him to succeed particularly if the contract of the East West road is brought under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development from the Federal Ministry of Works.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had last year returned the road to the Ministry of Works, 13 years after it was moved to the Niger Delta Ministry from Works.

Momoh reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government towards rapid development of the Niger Delta region, insisting that the President Bola Tinubu administration will not relent in its efforts to revamp infrastructure, human capacity and promote economic growth of the region.

Lamenting the security and infrastructure challenges in the region, he said: “Niger Delta region has continuous problems of security and poor infrastructural development.

“It is unfortunate that Niger Delta, which is the economic nerve-centre of Nigeria, has not accomplished roads in the South-south region uptil date.”

Responding, Governor Eno lamented that while the South-south region lays the golden eggs, they were not feeling the impact in terms of development of the region, but instead suffering from environmental degradation of one type or the other.

He regretted that after all the years of establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the region is yet to feel the real impact and dividend of establishing the interventionist agency.

The governor thanked President Tinubu for his approach to governance, working with people across party lines.

The minister, who also paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler, Ediden Sylvanus Effiong Okon, in his palace, told the monarch that he was in his palace to consult stakeholders and assure them of the commitment of the present administration to better the lives of Nigerians and the country at large.

The minister inspected a completed two-kilometre road in Ikot Udoe town and the state office of the ministry under construction. 

At both levels, the minister expressed satisfaction with the completed two-kilometre road and the quality of job of the state office which is still under construction.