News
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 Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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