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East-West Road: Royal Fathers Raise Alarm Over Plan To Abandon Project
Royal fathers and community leaders in the Niger Delta region under the auspices of East-West Road Community Association (EWRCA), have raised alarm over an alleged plan by the Federal Government to abandon the ongoing construction work on the East-West Road.
The chairman of the association, His Royal Highness, Eze Joshua Eyiiba of Ekpeye Kingdom in Rivers State, raised the alarm during the press briefing organised by the association in Port Harcourt, recently.
The chairman, whose address was read by the Secretary of the association, Chief Bob-Chima Okala said that the alarm was necessitated by the recent claim by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Hon God’sday Orubebe that the road project was 50 percent completed.
He also alleged that the Minister directed that money so far released for the ongoing project recently should be spent only on the Delta State segment of the road, thereby abandoning the Kaiama, Mbiama-Port Harcourt section of the project.
The association disclosed that the Senate Committee on Works on its oversight function on the project only visited the Delta segment of the road and went straight to Eleme-Akwa Ibom axis without inspecting the Kaiama-Eleme stretch of the road.
According to the association, the decision of the Senate Committee on Works to by-pass the Kaiama-Eleme segment was further confirmation that the Federal Government had concluded plans to abandon the project, especially the Kaiama-Eleme axis of the road.
The group condemned the claims by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs that over 50 per cent of the project had been achieved, adding that the statements were false.
There was a televised press interview that 50 per cent of the job has been done on East-West Road project. We wonder what statistical index or criteria our Hon Minister used in arriving at such incoherent analysis. How could they have done 50 per cent when even the newly expanded road has neither been done, nor the old one touched at all”, he asked.
The EWRCA leader averred that it was disappointing to note that a drive from Eleme junction in Port Harcourt through Ahoada to Kaiama and Ugheli would show the abysmal performance on the road project contrary to speculations of the honourable minister.
Eze Eyiba appealed to the Federal Government to release money to SETRACO Nigeria Limited, the contracting firm handling the project, to enable it continue the project, adding that the East – West Road had become a death trap which he said had been causing avoidable accidents virtually every day.
He stated that the completion of the road project was initially slated for 2010 and later shifted to 2014 but expressed fears that the work might not be completed before the end of the present administration.
Also speaking, Eze Robinson O. Robinson, Royal Majesty of Ekpeye Kingdom, who is the patron of the association, corroborated the fears of the royal fathers that the Federal Government may abandon the road project, adding that the region was the economic nerve-centre of the nation.
The Royal Father appealed to President Good Jonathan and the Minister of the Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe to ensure that the ongoing East-West Road project was completed before the expiration of their tenure, considering the economic importance of the road, adding that Federal Government could not hide under the cover of Boko Haram insurgency as an excuse not to complete the job.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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