Traditional Rulers Council Tasks FG On East-West Road

The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers (RSCTR) has called on the Federal Government to complete the construction work on the East-West Road next year.

The Council in a communique issued at the end of its third quarterly general meeting held recently, expressed dismay over the slow pace of work on the road. The communiqué signed by the RSCTR Chairman, King Godwin Giniwa, the Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, the Eze Gbakagbaka, Eze Oha Evo 11, Dr. Frank Eke and King Kaleh Obuge, the Oda-Abuan of Abua Kingdom said the East-West road needed serious Federal Government attention as it is the only road that connects the oil bearing states of the nation.

It stated that although the Minister of Niger Delta, Chief Godspower Orubebe had earlier announced that the road would be ready in 2014, because it is the economic hub of the nation, it added that the Federal Government should consider the economic difficulties faced by people of the zone as a result of the deplorable condition and expedite action in ensuring that it is completed and delivered in 2013.

The communiqué also expressed appreciation for the timely intervention of the Federal and Rivers State Governments to assist the flood victims, whose homes were ravaged recently. It however frowned at the classification of Rivers State as category C, stating that, “our state suffered even more devastation than most of the areas that were classified as category A.

It therefore called for appropriate classification by the Federal Government. The RSCTR was also not happy with the wrongful ceding of oil wells belonging to Rivers State to neighbouring states of Abia and Bayelsa, saying, “We fail to see the reason why in the prevailing circumstances, Federal Government should release funds accruable to these disputed oil wells to Bayelsa State, a party involved in the dispute”, and reiterated that Justice should prevail.