Akpabio pledges National Assembly’s support to complete East-West Road

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured residents of the Niger Delta region that the National Assembly will support President Bola Tinubu’s administration to complete the construction of the East-West Road and other Federal projects in the area.

Akpabio made the pledge when he hosted the Kasimene Bangha VII of Ogoni land and the Acting President of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, Mene (Dr.) Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam Gbenemene, in his office in Abuja.

Akpabio also reassured the Ogoni people of the Senate’s determination, in collaboration with President Tinubu’s administration, to continue to work for the peace and development of the oil producing region.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, the Senate President said: “I want to congratulate you and your people on the peace in the Niger Delta region today. The region is very peaceful today because of the efforts and sacrifices of people like you.

“The Ogoni people have sacrificed a lot for the peace, progress and development of this country. May the souls of those who paid the supreme price for this to happen rest in peace.”

Commenting on Federal Government’s ongoing projects in the region, Akpabio said: “The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is totally committed to the completion of the East-West road during his tenure as the President. The 10th Senate and the National Assembly is ready to do everything within their powers to support the completion of the road.

“When I was the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, we did our best to move it up to almost 89 per cent completion. What was left was a major stretch from Eleme junction. The human factor also played a major part in the delay. We can’t do anything without security; that is why we will continue to appeal to our youths to cooperate with any company that comes there to add value.

“It isn’t the Federal Government that uses the road, it is our people. The condition of the road affects economic activities. That is why whatever must be done to put it in shape would be done.

“We are happy to receive you on behalf of other Ogoni traditional rulers. This Senate is indeed concerned about the East-West road. That is why we had to set up a committee headed by Senator Abdul Ningi to come down and study the East-West road and bring back a report for the Nigerian Senate to look at why the road has taken so long to be completed, despite the economic importance of the road to the country. That shows the seriousness the Senate attaches to that road.”

Dr. Gbenemene thanked Akpabio for his roles in the construction of the East-West road when he was the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

He said: “Let me sincerely thank you for agreeing to see me at a very short notice. It also shows the respect you have for the institution and your Ogoni people.

“I specifically thank you for the works you have done on the East-West road. I remember very well that it was from that meeting we had severally with you that resulted in what the Minister of Work is doing today.

“I want to sincerely thank you for the love you have for us, as a people. Of course, you always say that you are part and parcel of Ogoni.”