Fix East/West Road, Write Your Name In Gold – Stakeholders Advise Buhari

As the Buhari administration begins the last leg of its administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised by Niger Delta stakeholders to act fast to complete the East West Road and write his name in gold.
Chima Williams, executive director Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, ERA/FoEN who was in Port Harcourt for some crucial meetings with the media and community members, said in an interview that the East/West Rd is critical to the Niger Delta and serves the federal government feeding the Port Harcourt Refinery, Petrochemical Industry Ndiroma, the Onne Seaport and Export Promotion Zone in addition to linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states and that makes it imperative that it should be in good condition.
He said the federal government has the necessary implements to put the road right before the Buhari government signs off next year noting that Buhari would be lifting his name by so doing.
“This job can be completed. It is an opportunity for the president to show the Niger Deltans that he is a caring father. I believe that as a caring father, he loves Niger Delta people which made him to take over the East West Rd from the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry to the Federal Ministry of Works and he has plans to complete the project. He will be applauded and his name written in gold if he completes it. The ERA/FoEN ED noted that without a functional road at the Port Harcourt-Eleme stretch currently a torture for commuters, the gains of a completed Bodo-Bonny Road would be defeated.
“The East/West Rd feeds the Bodo-Bonny Rd so it is very important that the Eleme axis be reconstructed to be in good shape to effectively serve the purpose,” he added.
Also commenting on the need for speedy action on the East/West Rd, an Ogoni traditional ruler, Chief Eric said the road is strategic to development and improve lives around the area.
Chief Eric who is the deputy paramount ruler of Goi Community pointed out that completing the reconstruction of the road will relief commuters of the stress involved in navigating, especially, the Eleme-Port Harcourt stretch which takes hours instead of minutes to navigate because of the deplorable state.
“ Completing that road will enhance development, decongest Bonny and improve business in Khana and other areas around it”.
He asked how the federal government plans to commission the Bodo-Bonny Rd without the East/West Road. “How operational will the Bodo-Bonny Rd be without the East/West which feeds it? Take good care of the access road to the Bodo-Bonny Rd.
“It takes people many hours to reach Port Harcourt. Government should complete the road before the end of this administration. Niger Deltans will appreciate Buhari if he does that.
“This is the source of the nation’s wealth, and this is the major road in the Niger Delta at least, let it be fixed,” he urged.
The traditional ruler advised communities along the road project not to obstruct operations to avoid excuses from government.