By David Lawani, Abuja
The Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Dr Abubakar Momoh, has assured the people of Okpameri in Akoko-Edo Local Government Council that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to addressing infrastructural challenges faced by the people in the area most especially on the dilapidated roads in the Senatorial District of Edo North.
Momoh who received the group in his office this afternoon said the challenges of infrastructure cut across every part of the nation due to long neglect of these roads noting that the present administration has shown that it is willing to swing into action as people are being affected by it due to the collapse of these roads.
He reiterated that he recently told the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently look into the collapse of Comprehensive High School Junction which he said is about to cut off the entire people from the LGA. He said action will be taken on it very soon.
The Minister noted further that the reasons enumerated so far are not far from what so many other people who have visited him have said adding that the challenge is almost the same now across the entire length and breadth of the country.
He said also that in the Niger Delta region where he presides over nine states, the challenge of the region has been many stating that the major problem in the country today is the network of roads.
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He said, “The challenge of fixing the infrastructure is a very huge one. But I have no iota of doubt that President Bola Tinubu with whom we are working is a man that listens. A man who is committed to improving the lots of Nigeria. So, I do not doubt that something will be done in this regard.
“For instance, you cannot even move from Auchi say you are going to Fugar. Because the moment you get to Ayiogure the road has cut off completely. And somewhere along the road in Afashio, it is the same.
“I was told that along Igarra road, around that Comprehensive High School junction, it is the same problem. I think recently I asked the NDDC to look at these very flash spots. To see that we can move around ourselves before we begin to think of more meaningful developments.
“Of course, we are all from the same place. You cannot access Auchi because the Ekpoma and Sabo areas have collapsed. So it is a very serious problem and a challenge for the government. This is as a result of long years of neglect.
“And also, the wrong use of the roads by these big trucks because in the advanced country, you hardly can see trucks like this moving in such a large number. No matter how strong the road is, it will give way because of the heavy-duty on it,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, the President of Okpameri Descendants Union, ODU, Samson Aturu, congratulated the Minister for his appointment saying the whole Edo State particularly the Edo North region is happy for his appointment because they believed he is equal to the task ahead of him.
He said Edo North Senatorial District is bedevilled with infrastructural decay hence the urgent need for attention which has informed the reason for the visit as part of communicating with the Minister so that the issues of road challenge in Akoko Edo LGA will be given urgent and accelerated attention so that people, good and services can move on smoothly unhindered.
He said, “We are on this visit to congratulate the Honourable minister of Niger Delta, Dr Abubakar Momoh. We feel it is also important that we let him know as a group what we are facing in Akoko Edo LGA in terms of infrastructural challenges that fall under his leadership.
“Our major challenge is in the area of road network. The roads are so bad like he said before. From Auchi before Igarra in Sasaro, it is bad. You cannot even come to Okpameri axis, the north constituency of Akoko Edo LGA. We have let the Minister know and he has promised that by the grace of God, urgent attention will be given to it by the President.”
Also present during the visit were Oba R.O Alufah, Olowe the III; Elekor of Ekor, Mr Samson Aturu; President, Okpameri Descendants Union (ODU), Abuja chapter, Mrs Joy Aina Akande-Oboigbe, among others
