Chief Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to urgently address the deteriorating state of roads in the Niger Delta region. In his letter, Clark called for the President to declare a state of emergency on the region’s roads and to prioritize repairs in the upcoming 2025 Budget.
Clark expressed frustration over the poor condition of roads in the oil-rich region, questioning why these vital infrastructure issues remain unresolved despite the increase in oil production and global oil prices. He emphasized that the dire state of the roads is causing severe hardship for residents of the region, particularly given that the area continues to generate substantial revenue for the nation.
Clark stated, “It is difficult to understand why roads in the communities that produce the resources that keep this country going are in such a terrible state.” He further highlighted that with oil production at 1.8 million barrels per day and oil prices at US$73 per barrel, the funds required to repair the roads are minimal compared to the revenue generated by the region.
Clark pointed out that a key road, the Benin-Auchi road, which should take two and a half hours to travel, now takes passengers up to seven hours due to its dilapidated condition. In some cases, commuters are forced to take detours through rural communities in Ekiti State.
The letter calls on the government to take immediate action, insisting that the Niger Delta’s crucial role in the country’s economy should not be overlooked when addressing these infrastructure challenges.
