IPMAN Makes Case For East-West Road Completion

Following the recent blockade of the Eleme-Akpajo axis of the East-West Road by youths in Rivers State, the Independent Petroleum Markers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN), has enjoined the Federal Government to accede to the demands of the protesting youths on account of the deplorable state of the said road.
The youths stated that the importance of the Eleme-Akpajo section of the East-West Road cannot be over-emphasised as it plays host to several multimillion dollars investments such as the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Port Harcourt Refining Corporation(NNPC), Indorama Petrochemicals Limited, Eleme among others.
Chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State, Dr. Joseph Obele, in a chat with newsmen, lamented that petrol tankers have not been able to load products at the Port Harcourt refinery since the protest began, last Monday.
According to him, “Yes the road is very bad, we are calling on all the relevant authorities to mobilise contractors to commence construction work on the road, because the youths have said they won’t leave the road until they see construction equipment on site. The protest is affecting us in the petroleum sector. Since Monday we have not been able to load”.
Meanwhile, leader of the protest and President of Ogoni Youth Federation, Lergbosi Yamaabana, has vowed that the protest will continue until tractors and caterpillars were seen on site, noting that the aim of the protest was to cripple economic activities, especially multi-million dollars investments in the area, until their demands were met, adding that government reacts only to forceful agitations.
He said, “we are still here like we promised, we are not leaving here until Federal Government will mobilise contractors handling the road to site in view of reconstructing the entire stretch of the road together with all the four bridges that have been demanded for, that is our resolve.
“I want to address the government at this point that the more they keep quiet, the more we are strong. If they know what is good for them they should mobilised contractors to site.”
Recall that youths in Rivers State since last Monday, blocked the Eleme-Akpajo axis of the East-West Road with petrol trucks and other articulated vehicles demanding the immediate reconstruction of the deplorable sections of the road by the Federal Government.

By: Tonye Nria-Dappa