Niger Delta
Roads in Niger Delta that produces Nigeria’s wealth are in Deplorable Condition, Clark Tells Tinubu
The roads in the Niger Delta that produces Nigeria’s are in deplorable condition, Elder Stateman, Chief Edwin Clark has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on them
Clark, who made the appeal at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said if the infrastructure in the areas remained in deplorable conditions the situation will contribute to the continuous decline in oil revenue accruing to the government.
He lamented that the country’s hope of revamping the national economy was being challenged with the unfortunate state of affairs in the South-South region.
Clark decried the recent calamity in the region when 20 were burnt following an accident that occurred at Koko Junction on the Warri-Benin highway due to bad roads.
He said the dilapidated state of the road has a direct link to the calamity which the people of the South-South region continue to face daily due to the most inhuman situation of the federal roads in the region.
The Ijaw National Leader noted with regret that despite the fact that the region produced the bulk of the wealth of the nation, it’s impact was not being felt by his people saying that rather the people are nade to play the s3cond fiddle
He said, “We see the impact of the natural resource that is daily taken out of our soil here in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and almost every other part of the country, we are left to wallow in this total neglect, marginalisation and deprivation.”
Explaining further he said the recent accident at the Koko junction could have been averted if the President Muhammadu Buhari government, efforts had been made to look into the state of our roads.
He said , “The East-West Road remains an ugly stain on Nigeria political administrative logic, especially for something considered as signature project, because of its economic significance.
“No substantial inch of construction work has been added in the eight years of the Buhari Administration. Sections of the road supposedly constructed were washed away like whitewash on walls by the 2022 floods, obviously due to the poor standard of work done”.
“As you would expect, that road is right now, especially at the time of this 2023 rainy season, in total disrepair and a death trap where there is daily carnage.
“The connection between Calabar and Itu, that is, in the section between Cross River and Akwa Ibom remains one of the most dangerous roads in the world, even though the NNPC Ltd is supposed to have taken it
“over. Coming further down, under your government, you have gratefully awarded the section around the Refinery by Eleme Junction. For this, we are grateful.
“However, the connection between Rivers State and Bayelsa State has four major sections which collapsed due to the 2022 floods and has remained unrepaired.
“Such that a normal journey that would have taken one and half hours between the two states now take three hours and more.
“If you continue to the axis between Patani and Warri, there are at least four major spots again where the road has totally collapsed and can no longer be passed.
“The commuters now have to go through bush paths in order to continue their journey.
“Between Warri and Sapele, there are so many bad spots, also washed away by floods and this continues from Sapele to Benin which led to the mammoth death in numbers at Koko junction.
“If one may ask, what is the status of the US $333m Bodo-Bonny Road, a project expected to open up opportunities for rapid socio-economic development of the areas, even with a reported contribution of US $167m by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Limited?
Meanwhile, four years ago, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, while addressing the House of Representatives Committee on Works, disclosed that 524 road projects were ongoing in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Fashola said there were four multilateral-funded road projects, 81 under the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund and 45 others being funded under the Sukuk bond.
“Certainly, billions of naira, from the Niger Delta oil and gas resources have been approved and expended on the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges across the country, excluding roads and bridges in the South-South zone.”
Clark said some of the roads and bridges reportedly completed or being constructed/reconstructed, among others, included the Kano-Maiduguri Road linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno States Section II, covering over 177km.
He said, “From the information that was made available, in terms of kilometers (length of the roads), the South-South had the least with only 52.2 kilometers.
“The North Central had 1,479.9 kilometers; North West had; North East had; South-East had 122 kilometers and South-West had 119 kilometers.
“What were the reasons for such an absurd distribution? What was the yardstick? He queried.
He also added that the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, neglected the South-South zone in the allocation and distribution of projects by his ministry, in tandem with the established pattern of the Buhari administration. Even the housing units being built by the federal government across the country, we are unaware of any being built in the south-south.
He said, “Recall that when the $311 million Abacha loot was returned from the United States in 2020, the South-South was excluded in projects designated for the fund, which included the second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressways, as well as the Mambilla Power Project in North East zone; no project in the South-South zone was listed. That scenario was repeated with the Ibori loot.”
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed confidence in its recently inaugurated a high-level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, tasked with resolving political crises in the South-South region.
The committee, chaired by former Akwa Ibom State Governor Chief Obong Victor Attah, was established at PANDEF’s Special General Assembly in Port Harcourt on October 24, 2024.
The new committee includes prominent figures such as former Senate Whip Senator Rowland Owie, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah (rtd.), and Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, who also serves as PANDEF’s newly appointed National Chairman.
The committee is set to mediate lingering conflicts in the region, focusing on fostering unity and sustainable peace among communities.
Dr. Igali expressed optimism about the initiative, emphasizing that the committee will provide a platform for all voices to be heard. “The mandate of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee is to engage with key stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and strengthen bonds within the Niger Delta community,” he said.
The leadership of PANDEF has urged the government, civil society organizations, and community leaders to work collaboratively with the committee to bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta.
In his statement, PANDEF National Spokesman Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Christopher Ominimini assured that all underlying issues will be addressed, affirming PANDEF’s commitment to fostering unity in the region.
The committee’s first steps are expected to include consultations across states in the South-South geopolitical zone, aiming to set the groundwork for reconciliation and renewed cooperation within the Niger Delta.
The recent dissolution of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC) executive by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has stirred debate within the Itsekiri community, with INYC Adviser Comrade Emiko Oghomienor challenging the monarch’s authority to make such a decision.
The Olu of Warri announced the dissolution at his palace, citing the INYC’s alleged failure to adopt a new constitution and conduct elections.
In response, the palace appointed leaders from the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and the National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) to draft a new INYC constitution, with Chiefs Omolubi Newuwumi and Wilson Olley serving as advisers to the committee.
However, Oghomienor argued that only the INYC’s Board of Trustees has the constitutional power to dissolve the council’s leadership.
He stated that the current executive, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro and Acting President Comrade Godwin Utieyin, is set to serve until December 2024, with established procedures governing any potential dissolution.
“The Olu of Warri is traditionally presented with INYC leadership for royal blessing, but does not oversee its election process,” Oghomienor said, emphasizing that INYC’s creation came from the vision of patriotic Itsekiri leaders independent of the monarchy’s influence.
He affirmed that the current leadership would complete its term, with future elections to follow the council’s existing constitution, allowing for any necessary amendments.
The development highlights differing perspectives within the Itsekiri community on the role of traditional authority in youth organization governance, underscoring ongoing efforts to maintain INYC’s autonomy.
According to the new development,
“In the interim, the Palace has immediately appointed Presidents of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) as the core of a committee to draft a new constitution for INYC, with Chief Omolubi Newuwumi and Chief Wilson Olley working as Advisers”, the announcement stated.
But reacting through a statement on Tuesday, Oghomienor, maintained that only the Board of Trustees of INYC is statutorily empowered to dissolve the association.
He said :” Even the Board of Trustees of INYC, which is constitutional empowered to dissolve exco of the body, has laid down procedures that must be followed, whenever the necessity arises.
“In this instance, there’s no need to announce dissolution of the current leadership of INYC, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, with Comrade Godwin Utieyin Acting as President. The tenure of the current INYC leadership terminates December 2024, which is barely two months away, one now wonders the bases on which the purported dissolution was announced. ”
“The issue that was on ground for days, was exploring ways to amend the existing constitution of INYC, not drafting a new constitution as being insinuated.
“The Olu of Warri, right from the inception of INYC, is only presented with leadership of the body for royal blessing, not determining the process of electing INYC executive.
“For the records, INYC was birthed as a result critical circumstances, by very mature, patriotic and forward thinking Itsekiris, it’s not a body for children or inexperienced youths.”
Oghomienor, emphasized: “I am not aware of any ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta or other parts of Nigeria, where traditional rulers or institutions, delve into the election of youth executive for ethnic nationalities.
“The current leadership of INYC, will see their tenure through and election of new exco, will be done in – line with the existing constitution of INYC, subject to further amendments.”
***Moves to reconcile Wike, Fubara
At a crucial assembly held in Port Harcourt, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the decision to abolish the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
In addition, they highlighted the need for urgent investments in regional infrastructure and increased local participation in the oil sector to address the long-standing challenges in the Niger Delta.
The Special General Assembly, hosted by Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, convened government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives of youth and women’s organizations.
Focused on the theme, “Fostering Peace and Unity for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta,” the assembly urged action on several critical issues to boost the region’s economic future.
In a communique signed by PANDEF Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen HE King Alfred Diette-Spiff and HE Obong Victor Attah, the assembly voiced opposition to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs’ dissolution, advocating for either its reinstatement or the creation of a South-South Commission dedicated to the region’s needs.
The statement noted, “The Ministry was established to address specific issues related to the Niger Delta’s unique environmental challenges and economic importance. The decision to dissolve it lacked consultation with critical stakeholders and fails to consider the circumstances that led to its creation.”
PANDEF also emphasized the urgency of resolving conflicts among regional leaders.
To this end, they announced the establishment of a High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, led by Obong Victor Attah, to mediate disputes, including the ongoing rift between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This committee aims to foster stability and cooperation within the Niger Delta.
The assembly raised concerns over neglected infrastructure, particularly the East-West Road, and urged the federal government to prioritize critical projects like the Calabar-Lagos railway to support economic growth in oil-producing states.
Another key point was the need for policies that ensure greater local participation in the oil and gas sector, a vital industry located within the region but often excluding local investors.
In line with sustainable economic goals, PANDEF expressed optimism about the newly established African Energy Bank, which could provide financial support for local projects in green and sustainable energy.
To further economic growth, PANDEF recommended that Niger Delta states allocate 20% of their budgets to industrialization and agriculture and 25% to education.
They advocated for industrial parks and agricultural development, particularly in fisheries and food processing.
The assembly concluded with the inauguration of a new PANDEF National Executive Committee, led by Amb. (Dr.) Godknows Boladei Igali as National Chairman.
This leadership is charged with advancing PANDEF’s mission for equitable economic development and advocating for a prosperous future for the Niger Delta through peaceful engagement with federal and state governments.
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