***Says it is committed to ameliorating the problems of Ogoni People
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has reassured the Ogoni people of the determination of the 10th Senate and the National Assembly to do everything within its powers to support President Bola Tinubu to complete the East West Road.
The East-West road in southern Nigeria runs across the Niger Delta, a wetland which has peculiar environment, geomorphology and soil characteristics.
The strategic road connects the country’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the region, however, successive administrations in Nigeria had allowed the road to degenerate to such a state of disrepair.
The road, according to records, extends 188 kilometres and connects the Niger Delta cities to Lagos in the West and Calabar in the East. On its route, the road links up with the vital commercial hubs of Port Harcourt and Warri.
Akpabio gave the assurance while receiving in courtesy, His Royal Majesty, Mene (Dr) Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam Gbenemene, Kasimene Bangha VII of Ogoniland and the Acting President of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in River State, in his office on Tuesday.
A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted the Senate President to have stated that,” the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is totally committed to the completion of the East West road during his tenure as the President.
“When I was the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, we did our best to move it up to almost 89 percent completion. What was left was a major stretch from Eleme junction. The human factor also played a major part in the delay.
“We can’t do anything without security and that is why we will continue to appeal to our youths to cooperate with any company that comes there to add value. It isn’t the Federal Government that uses the road, it is our people. The condition of the road affects economic activities and that is why whatever must be done to put it in shape, would be done.
“We are happy to receive you on behalf of other Ogoni traditional rulers. This Senate, is indeed concerned about the East West road and that is why we had to set up a committee headed by Senator Abdul Ningi to come down and study the East West road and bring back a report for the Nigerian Senate to look at why the road has taken so long to be completed, despite the economic importance of the road to the country. That shows the seriousness the Senate attaches to that road,” he stressed.
He promised that the Senate under his leadership will support the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to continue to work for the peace and development of the oil producing community.
He thanked the Ogoni leader for the continued peace in the Niger Delta Region, saying, ” I want to congratulate you and your people on the peace in the Niger Delta Region today.
“Niger Delta Region is very peaceful today because of the efforts and sacrifices of the people like you. The Ogoni people have sacrificed a lot for the peace, progress and development of this country and may the souls of those who paid the supreme price for this to happen rest in peace.”
According to the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, “Apart from the East West road, we are also aware of the other needs of the Ogoni people, such as water and electricity.
“When I was the Minority Leader of the Senate, I provided borehole water and street light to the Ogoni people as my part of my constituency project. We will work with your Senator to make sure that we assist you in the area of water and electricity.”
Earlier in his speech, the Ogoni monarch thanked the Senate President for his roles in the construction of the East West road, when he was the Niger Delta Minister, saying,” let me sincerely thank you for agreeing to see me at a very short notice. It also shows the respect you have for the institution and your Ogoni people.”
According to him, “I specifically thank you for the works you have done on the East West road. I remember very well that it was from that meeting we had severally with you, that resulted into what the Minister of Work is doing today. I want to sincerely thank you for the love you have for us, as a people, of course, you always say that you are part and parcel of Ogoni.”
He thanked the Senate President for recognizing one of his sons in the constitution of Senate Committees, saying,” I specifically thank you for appointing our son as the Senate Committee Chairman on Works. It is a good thing what you have done for us and we sincerely appreciate it and won’t take it for granted.
“Let me use this opportunity to formally request from you for a date that you would be publicly appreciated and celebrated by the Ogoni people for all what you have done for us as a people,” he declared.