Politics and Power
FG promises action on Niger Delta roads
Jul 6, 2010, 17:09
| | President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has pledged that his Administration will do all it can to rehabilitate existing roads and initiate action on new highways to open up the Niger Delta region for rapid development.
Speaking at an audience with a delegation of Cross River State leaders, traditional rulers and elders led by Governor Liyel Imoke, which called on him at the State House Abuja on Tuesday July 6, President Jonathan said that demands for the improvement of the transportation networks in the region were genuine and legitimate, and will therefore receive due consideration from the Federal Government.
Responding to requests made by the delegation in an address presented by former Foreign Affairs Minister and current leader of the South-South Peoples Assembly, Chief Mathew Mbu, the President said that funds will be provided in the 2011 Federal Budget for the extension of the East-West Road to Calabar. The road is currently designed to terminate in Akwa Ibom State.
President Jonathan said that all other issues raised by the delegation including increased support for the resettlement of Nigerians displaced from the Bakassi Peninsula, Federal support for the development of Cross River State’s tourism potentials, dredging of the Calabar Channel and refunds to the Cross River State Government of expenditure on the maintenance of Federal Roads, will receive necessary attention from the Federal Government.
He thanked the delegation for its pledge of support for Vice President Namadi Sambo and himself, saying that that they would be encouraged by the backing of the people of Cross River and other Nigerians to carry forward the enormous task of setting the country firmly on the path to sustainable growth and rapid development.
Chief Mbu had said in his address that the delegation believed that the bold steps already taken by President Jonathan in his leadership of the nation were a reflection of his deep sense of purpose and thorough understanding of the country’s problems.
He praised the President’s commitment to giving Nigeria a new lease of life, saying that his dedication to free, fair and credible elections in 2011 was a welcome indication that Nigeria was on the right path to good governance and the consolidation of democracy.
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