‘Completion of East-Ewest project is a top priority for this administration’_ FG
President Mohammadu Buhari has described the East-West road as strategic and of huge economic importance to the people of South-South and Nigeria as a whole.
He said this is what informed the directive by the government to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries to immediately move in and ensure that section 4 of the East-West road beginning from Eleme Roundabout to Onne junction is fixed without delay leveraging on the Tax Credit Scheme.
According to him, the project currently handled by the federal ministry of Works and Housing is the largest infrastructural project in Nigeria and is very dear to his administration.
He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 5th National Council meeting on Niger Delta themed “Harnessing 21st-century Development Initiatives and Strategies for Greater Development in the Niger Delta” and held at Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, in Uyo Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday.
The President who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi said the completion of the project was a top priority for this administration.
“The East-West road project which is now being handled by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is the largest infrastructure project in Nigeria, as it’s a very strategic road, connecting the country’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the region.
“Considering the priority this administration places on the completion of this project, the Ministry of Petroleum has directed NNPC and its subsidiaries to step in and fix section 4 of the East-West road ( Eleme Roundabout to Onne Junction), through the Tax Credit Scheme”
He stated further that, his administration had undertaken critical reforms in the Niger Delta Development Commission, adding that the implementation of the recommendations of the Forensic Audit Report which is being implemented in phases would bring about the constitution of the new board which according to him is the desire of the most stakeholders in the region
“One of the cardinal mandates of my admissions is to tackle corruption. To this end and in response to the call of the Governors of the South-South geopolitical zone for a Forensic Audit of NDDC from 2000- 2019, the Report of Audit had been submitted and the implementation of its recommendations has commenced in phases
“I hereby assure you that this process will eventually bring about the Constitution of the new board for the commission which is the desire of most stakeholders in the region”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Council and Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, explained that the meeting which is held annually as a platform for bringing all Development Partners to the same table to proffer solutions to developmental and Socioeconomic issues in the region.
However, he observed that the council did not take place in the year 2012 for some cogent reasons, adding that, the ministry was committed to completing the East-West Road into a super expressway.
He said the ministry has put in place modalities to ensure that the compendium of projects executed by the ministry was launched before the end of the year.
He changed that, henceforth, the ministry should not sneak into any state without liaising with such state officials to avoid duplication of projects.
