The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to protesting Niger Delta youths to vacate Section III
“The essence of this protest is to draw the attention of the government to the road. Now we are here, allow contractors to bring in equipment to commence work,” Akpabio appealed.He made this appeal yesterday in Abuja after a meeting with contractors handling different sections of the road acknowledged that the youths were right to stage a protest over the delay.
According to him, the Niger Delta Development Commission has also budgeted another N35 billion to support the project, adding that the ministry has channeled funds meant for over 304 projects into the East-West road project.He further disclosed that the ministry has proposed an extra-budgetary intervention for inclusion of the East-West Road Sections I-IV in the 2020 SUKUK Issuance Programme of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Debt Management Office.
Akpabio explained that the initial contracts for dualisation of the 338km road linking Warri to Oron through Kaima, Ahoada, Port Harcourt, Ogoni, and Eket Townships were initially awarded in four sections to four different contractors in 2006.“It is well known that Section I and Section III have been duly completed by Messrs Setraco Nigeria Limited and Messrs. RCC Nigeria Limited respectively,” he added.
He further stated that due to poor annual budgetary provisions, the contract for the upgrading of Section IIIA awarded in 2014 could not commence until the ministry paid the contractors the full mobilisation advance in 2020.“The condition of the road deteriorated during the period of delay and there has been serious encroachment on the right-of-way initially delineated for the road.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Akpabio plotting to stop protests with N2.5bn compensation, Niger Delta group alleges - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
Niger Targets N150m Revenue From New Water LinesNiger State government is set to connect 14,000 new water lines and target N150 million monthly as additional revenue through the new connections. The
Read more »
We shut down 31 boarding schools because of insecurity - Niger CommissionerNiger State Government says thirty-one out of fifty-six boarding Schools across the state are currently not fully operational due to insecurity that
Read more »
Britain launches 2nd phase of collaboration against trafficking at Nigeria-Niger borderThe British High Commission in Nigeria has launched the second Phase of the Collaboration Against Trafficking and Smuggling at the Nigeria-Niger border programme (CATS NN).
Read more »
Niger Expands Water Lines By 14,000Niger State Government is set to connect 14,000 new water lines for supply of water expected to boost the revenue generating capacity of the state, to
Read more »
Niger Govt Hails Buhari On Appointment Of Wushishi As NECO RegistrarNiger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has hailed President Muhammad Buhari for appointing Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi as the new Registrar of the
Read more »