Completion of East-West road, top priority, says FG

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the East-West Road as strategic and of economic importance to the people of South-South and Nigeria as a whole, saying that was what informed government’s directive to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries to immediately move in and ensure that Section 4 of the road, from Eleme Roundabout to Onne junction, is fixed without delay through the Tax Credit Scheme.

According to him, the project, currently handled by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, is the largest infrastructure in Nigeria and very dear to his administration.

He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the Fifth National Council Meeting on Niger Delta held at Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday.

With the theme, “Harnessing 21st Century Development Initiatives and Strategies for Greater Development in the Niger Delta,” the President, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the completion of the project was a top priority for the administration.

“The East-West road project, which is now being handled by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, is the largest infrastructure project in Nigeria, as it’s very strategic road, connectors the country’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the region.

“Considering the priority this administration places on the completion of this project, the Ministry of Petroleum has directed NNPC and it’s subsidiaries to step in and fix section 4 of the East-West road (Eleme Roundabout to Onne Junction), through the Tax Credit Scheme”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Council and Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, explained that the meeting, held yearly, was a platform for bringing all development partners together to proffer solutions to developmental and socioeconomic issues in the region.