The National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin K. Clark, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the deplorable state of roads in the South-South region as part of the 2025 budget.

In an open letter, Clark decried the dire conditions of critical road networks in the region, highlighting their devastating impact on the lives of residents and the national economy.

He lamented the neglect of the South-South, which remains Nigeria’s main revenue base due to its oil production, despite its significant contributions to the nation.

Chief Clark specifically cited several roads in disrepair, including the Benin-Auchi Road, where travel time has increased from two and a half hours to over seven hours, and the Sapele-Warri Road, a short 30-minute journey that now takes more than two hours.

He also mentioned the Uyo-Itu-Calabar Road, a 90-kilometre stretch that once took less than two hours but now requires over six, and the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road, where travel time has doubled to four hours.

The elder statesman expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the East-West Road, a critical artery connecting the region. He accused contractors of lacking the capacity to handle the area’s challenging terrain.

“It is unimaginable that a region producing billions in revenue daily is burdened by impassable roads,” he said, noting that repairs would cost less than a week’s worth of the region’s oil production revenue.

Clark urged President Tinubu to prioritise the Niger Delta, declaring the state of roads an emergency and dedicating substantial resources in the 2025 budget to address the issue. He stressed that this would be an opportunity for the President to demonstrate fairness and leave a lasting legacy.

“This is an opportunity to write your name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history,” Clark concluded.