Edwin Clark, convener of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the completion of abandoned roads and rail projects leading to the Niger Delta region.
In a a letter to Tinubu on Wednesday, Clark commended the president for the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road construction.
He noted that it is important that the president is reminded about some abandoned rail and road projects leading to the Niger Delta region.
Clark urged the president to see that the Lagos-Calabar railway project is completed while the Warri-Itakpe-Lokoja rail is extended to Abuja.
He added that the east-west road and Calabar-Itu road are in a deplorable state, while calling for the completion of the Benin-Sapele-Warri road and the Bodi-Bonny project.
“I congratulate you (President Bola Tinubu), your minister of works and former governor of Ebonyi state, His Excellency, David Umahi, for the recent award of the coastal road which will stretch from Lagos state down to Calabar, Cross River State,” Clark said.
“Like Oliver Twist, the Niger Delta people are seriously requesting Mr. President to give priority to the very important project which will no doubt cater for the security and welfare of our people having regards to the role of the the region in supporting the economy of the entire country.
“I, however, want to remind Your Excellency that this new coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, as welcome as it is, raises issues as to why the related coastal railway running through the same axis has been abandoned.
“The Ujevwu Railway line, Warri which runs through many towns and villages in Delta, Edo, and Kogi States, Your Excellency, we are pleading with you to choose this extension of this rail line to Abuja as a matter of urgency and the people will be very grateful to you.”
Clark said the Niger Delta region being the “wealth of the country in a matter of equity and fairness”, should have good roads.
“I want to urge you Mr. President, for you to use your authority and stamp your name in gold by completing these priority roads and make it a thing of the past,” he said.
