Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has emphasized on the importance of the East-West road in driving the economic advancement of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
This was disclosed during a meeting at the Government House in Asaba with the Senate Adhoc Committee, led by Senator Abdul Ningi, which is investigating the prolonged non-completion of the East-West Road.
The governor said that despite serval attempts, the East-West road, which serves as a vital link between the South-South, South-East, and Western regions of Nigeria, remains in an unfinished and deteriorated state.
He further noted that the East-West road contributes substantially to the nation’s wealth through its oil production. “The East-West road is very strategic to all of us in this region. With what we have contributed to the nation in the past and with the region contributing the highest wealth to the nation today it is proper that attention is paid to this region.”
Oborevwori expressed his confidence in the committee’s ability to make a positive impact, urging them to expedite their investigation and inspection so that work on the road could commence promptly in the upcoming dry season.
Senator Ningi thanked Oborevwori for his electoral victory, as he emphasized on the strategic importance of the East-West Road as a critical infrastructure connecting the South-South geopolitical zone.
He however stated that the committee’s purpose was to assess the reasons behind the incomplete state of the East-West Road despite substantial funds allocated for its construction.
“We are going to take a critical exercise of the entire stretch of the road and have some discussions with stakeholders because that road should not be in this condition that it is at the moment. That road shouldn’t be in that condition. We believe that there is a missing link and it is our view that this committee will be able to identify the missing link so that the road would be fixed,” Senator Ningi asserted.
The meeting between Governor Oborevwori and the Senate Adhoc Committee highlighted the urgency and importance of completing the East-West Road to stimulate economic growth and improve connectivity within the Niger Delta Region and beyond.
