Niger Delta communities demand rehabilitation of roads, schools

• As Akpabio Commissions Projects

Communities across the nine states of the Niger Delta region have drawn the attention of the Federal Government to dilapidated classroom buildings, staff quarters and administrative blocks across their schools.

They also appealed to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to upgrade the existing 2.5km Road, linking Oloibiri, Ogbia to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The demands were made after the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, commissioned blocks of classrooms constructed by the ministry in various Local Councils of Bayelsa State.

His Royal Highness, Chief Nanak Okoto Christopher (Atama the VI) of Otuan Kingdom who commended the efforts of the Federal Government for granting the project to be sited in Otuan, called on the government to intervene by rehabilitating the dilapidated classrooms, staff quarters and administrative block of the community Secondary School in Otuan.

Represented by the spokesperson of the clan, Chief Pere-wari Maclean, the monarch said the contract was executed according to the specification of the design.

Another traditional ruler, HRH Iboleauyo Igbeta, who commended the Federal Government for the gesture, solicited for more projects to be sited in the area.

The Head Teacher of the State School, Oguama Nembe council area, John Robert, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the minister for working tirelessly to take education in the state to a higher level.

He said: “It is trite to say that sustaining the quality of education system requires several essential elements to affect it; the indispensable amongst them is the strength of improving their social and welfare status, good conducive teaching and learning environment.”

Robert appealed to the ministry to upgrade the already existing 2.5km Road linking Oloibiri, Ogbia to Yenagoa, as well as the creation of more employment chances to limit youth restiveness in the area.

Earlier in his remarks, Akpabio reiterated the unwavering commitment of the ministry to upholding the dignity of basic education in the region.

The minister informed the community leaders that a similar project was also replicated at Oguama Community in Nembe council area, Bayelsa State, commissioned and handed over to the community for use.

Represented by the Deputy Director in the Housing and Urban Development Department of the ministry, Joy Baderin, the minister stated: “The ministry, in a bid to fulfil its mandate and vision, has commenced the construction of ‘Quick Win Intervention Projects,’ in all nine states of the Niger Delta region as an alleviation approach to the quick development of social infrastructure in the region.

He stated that the construction of educational facilities in the communities is geared towards increasing the existing educational infrastructure in the Niger Delta region and improving access to quality basic education.