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Govs Decry State Of S’South, S’East Federal Roads
The Governors of the 11 States that make up the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of the country have decried the deplorable state of federal roads in the two geo-political zones.
The governors also regretted that none of the airports and seaports in the two geopolitical zones was functioning reasonably while none of the states in the two zones is linked in the country’s rail services.
The governors, in a communiqué issued in the early hours of last Sunday after the second meeting of the South-East/South-South Governors’ Forum at Government House, Port Harcourt, said the only federal presence in the two geo-political zones was the presence of policemen.
The communique, which was read by the Chairman of the forum and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, condemned emerging trend where approvals for investments in the oil and gas industry were granted for siting in other parts of Nigeria and with laying of pipelines in deep waters rather than siting the projects in the areas that produce the resources.
The forum expressed concern that despite providing the necessary logistic support to the security agencies, perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, thereby doing significant damage to investments climate and preventing reasonable inflow of direct foreign and local investment into the regions.
The communique reads in part, “Concerned about the reality of the dearth of infrastructure, the forum noted with dismay: the deplorable state of federal roads in the two regions. That none of the airports and seaports located in our regions is reasonably functional, and that neither of the two regions are linked by any rail services.
“That the federal presence in the regions is very minimal and only noticeable in the presence of policemen. The emerging trend where approvals for investments in the oil and gas industry are granted for siting in other parts of Nigeria with laying of pipelines in deep waters rather than siting the projects in the areas that produce the resources.
The forum resolved: “to pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration for the common good of the regions’ people, and to work together politically, align and re-align as a people that share common heritage, culture and affinity”.
It also agreed “to articulate and advocate issues affecting the wellbeing of the regions. The issues may not necessarily materialize immediately, but for the benefits of future generations.
The forum further resolved “to continue to subscribe our faith to the destiny and greatness of Nigeria, and call upon Nigerians to put their hands on the plough and rise to claim our rightful place in the comity of nations.”
It specifically “condemned hate speech in national discourse whether in individual communication or utterances of political actors or parties”, and “urged security agencies to set up joint border patrols and develop more proactive strategies in combating crime and criminality.
The governors also resolved “to urge the Federal Government to come up with a clear policy on concession of federal roads and to fast-track the process in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the regions.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has decried the decay and backwardness of infrastructure in the South-South and South-East part of the country.
Speaking when he played host to governors from the two geo-political zones in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Sunday, the Rivers State governor pointed out that the two zones were the most politically and economically marginalized within the nation.
The governor noted that none of the airports and seaports located in the regions were reasonably functional, while the few federal roads were not in good shape, neither were the two zones linked by any rail services.
He maintained that, “They have been environmentally degraded and deliberately neglected by the Federal Government in appointments and provisions of basic development infrastructures.”
Wike reasoned that even in contemporary Nigeria, the two regions share the same or similar challenges, including insecurity, poverty and under-development despite the best of efforts by the constituent state governments.
Since the people of the two geo-political zones have shared common heritage and affinity, Wike called for strategic economic plan and need to establish and link cities in the two zones with railways and superhighways; to provide viable and affordable flight services between our cities, and to ensure that cargoes are brought into the country and the regions through our seaports, jetties and ferry services as a veritable means of stimulating economic growth and social progress across our two regions.
“Also, we are all aware that economic growth and social progress are possible only in a peaceful and secure environment. And much as we try to tackle this menace in our respective states by providing the necessary logistic support to the security agencies, perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, doing significant damage to our investment climate thereby preventing reasonable inflow of direct foreign and local investment into the zones”, he said.
He maintained that the two regions must strive to overcome challenges through regional efforts by sharing resources, intelligence and denying sanctuaries to criminal elements in the areas.
According to him: “As we go into the business of this meeting, let us be confident in the rightness of our course and clear in our considerations that we have been and would continue to be worse off without the will to exploit our political and economic complementarities to drive our ways into political, economic and social prosperity.
“Above all, we must continue to demand for the devolution of powers and resources to the states as well as the institutionalization of state police, now that there is national consensus on these issues,” Wike maintained.
Similarly, Chairman of the South-South and South-East Governors Forum, Chief Udom Emmanuel has said that both zones plan to adopt a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for infrastructural revamp of the area.
Emmanuel, who is the governor of Akwa Ibom State, shortly after the meeting, informed news men that PPP was one way to augment whatever the Federal Government was doing in both the South-South and South-East in terms of infrastructure.
He reiterated the position of the governors to the unity of the country, “Nigeria is a country we have passion for.”
Emmanuel also said the governors resolve to give the issue of security of lives and property top priority, and that, “we will collaborate with other regions on some of the issues of inter-cooperation.”
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State governor had urged his counterparts from the two zones to form a common front for socio-economic development.
He described the meeting as a new beginning for the two geo-political zones for the good of her people.
The governor expressed delight that the governors have set aside impediments to chart a new direction, and charged the two zones to work together for prosperity.
He said: “Federal presence in the zone is minimal and only seen in the presence of policemen”.
Emmanuel sought for the development of an industrial framework that will enhance development.
He said the regions are better of united than divided, as he pleaded with Nigerians to continue to strive for the unity of the country.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.