The apex socio-cultural organization of Ogoni people, KAGOTE, has alleged that the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, misled President Bola Tinubu into commissioning the East-West road still under construction.
In a statement signed by its President, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah, the organisation wondered why the Minister would mislead the President into believing the project had been completed, whereas work on it, is still on-going.
“It is surprising that a man who served twice as an elected Governor, also won election to the Senate would be this so deceitful as to lie with a public infrastructure that all eyes can see even the blind can feel.
“All those who ply this road know that it is no-where near completion. It is sad and unexpected of a man of this standing in society, moreover a Public Official. The President was misled into believing the project had been completed, whereas work on it, is still on-going.
“Anyone in doubt can visit the site and you will confirm that the concrete pavement, which is meant to be the uppermost layer, wearing or surface course on the road, is yet to be completed, while the four overhead bridges are at various stages of piling, let alone be completed.
“The Eleme Section of the East West Road is a dual carriage way and major arterial infrastructural project of the present administration. It is supposed to serve commuters from Akwa Ibom State apart from about Eight Local Governments of Rivers State, it also serves to evacuate men and materials from the Refineries, the Indorama Petrochemical plant, the Ports and Oil&Gas Free Zone located along this axis.
“Our people believe that the speedy completion of that road will go a long way in assuring our people of the readiness of Government to partner with and develop local infrastructures. It has been in the forefront of our demands for better integration.
“Coming at a critical time when the Ogoni people have overwhelmingly agreed that the Federal Government should commence oil exploration activities in Ogoniland, which has been on hold for more than thirty years.
” We do hope that the Minister is not deliberately pitching Ogoni people against Mr. President, thereby setting us on a collision course with the present administration because as a people we will resist any attempt to deny us the full benefit of our sacrifices and contributions to Nation building”, the organisation stated.
It urged Mr. President to quickly call the Minister to order, stating that by his recent action of deliberately misleading Mr. President, the Minister has given credence to concerns in many quarters that he is planning to scale down the scope of the project.
“We hereby warn that any attempt to do so, will be strongly resisted by Ogoni people”.
