By Admin ***Demand Environmental Cleanup, East-West Road Completion
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize environmental remediation and infrastructure development in the region as part of his 2025 agenda.
The appeal came during a meeting of community leaders, activists, and policymakers who identified key areas that require urgent government intervention.
Top on the agenda is the need for comprehensive environmental cleanup programs to address decades of pollution caused by oil exploration. The stakeholders stressed that the region’s ecosystem has been devastated by oil spills, leaving communities with polluted water sources and degraded farmlands.
“We want President Tinubu to make environmental remediation a priority. The lives and livelihoods of Niger Delta people have been severely impacted by pollution. We need policies that will restore our lands and waters,” said Chief Ebitimi Akpan, a community leader
The stakeholders also urged the Tinubu administration to declare a state of emergency on road infrastructure in the region, particularly the completion of the East-West Road project, which has lingered for nearly two decades.
“The East-West Road is critical to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta. It connects major oil-producing states, but its current state is deplorable,” said Mr. Tonye Briggs, an activist from Rivers State.
According to him, the poor condition of the road has made transportation difficult for residents and businesses, slowing down economic activities in the region.
Increased funding for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to carry out developmental projects.
Job creation programs to reduce youth unemployment and curb restiveness.
A framework for sustainable development, ensuring that oil revenues benefit local communities directly.
Stakeholders emphasized that the Tinubu administration must not overlook the Niger Delta’s contribution to the nation’s economy, urging the government to fulfill its promises to the region.
“The Niger Delta is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. It’s time the region gets the attention and investment it deserves,” said Dr. Precious Okorodudu, a policy analyst.
They expressed optimism that President Tinubu will take decisive action to address the longstanding challenges facing the region.