Chief Edwin K. Clark, the National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the deplorable state of roads in the South-South region as part of the 2025 budget.
In an open letter, Chief Clark described the dire conditions of critical road networks in the region, emphasizing their impact on the lives of citizens and the economy of the nation.
He stressed that the South-South region, which remains the country’s primary revenue base due to its oil production, has been unfairly neglected despite its contributions.
He highlighted several roads in disrepair to include Benin-Auchi Road where Travel time has increased from 2½ hours to over 7 hours, Sapele-Warri Road that is a short 30-minute journey but now takes more than 2 hours.
Others are the Uyo-Itu-Calabar Road, a 90-kilometer trip that once took less than 2 hours now stretches to over 6 hours and Port Harcourt-Owerri Road which Travel time has doubled to 4 hours.
Clark also decried the slow progress on the East-West Road, a vital artery connecting the region, stating that contractors lack the capacity to handle its unique terrain.
“It is unimaginable that a region producing billions in revenue daily is burdened by impassable roads,” he said, pointing out that repairing these roads would require less than a week’s worth of the region’s oil production revenue.
Chief Clark appealed to the President to prioritize the Niger Delta, declaring the state of roads an emergency and allocating significant resources in the 2025 budget to address the issue.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate fairness and write your name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history,” Clark concluded, urging swift action to end the suffering of the people of the South-South.
The letter came as the region continues to grapple with environmental damage and infrastructural neglect despite its pivotal role in sustaining Nigeria’s economy.