Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has made an urgent appeal to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to address the poor conditions at the Okogbe section of the East-West Road in Rivers State.
Governor Diri, who was stuck for more than two hours on Friday while en route to the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt, stressed the severe difficulties faced by commuters, noting that some have been stranded at the same spot for over a week.
In an on-the-spot assessment, Governor Diri criticised the contractor responsible for the culvert project, accusing them of lacking the capacity to complete the work and calling for their dismissal.
He also urged South-South legislators in the National Assembly to prioritise the completion of the East-West Road, as it serves as a connector for all South-South states.
“The situation is pathetic and unacceptable. This road is vital for our region, which lays the golden egg for the country. The people of the Niger Delta deserve better than this,” Governor Diri stated.
He called on the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, to personally inspect the troubled sections of the road to gain a firsthand understanding of the situation.
Governor Diri pointed out that the road was significantly damaged during the 2022 floods, which also affected Bayelsa State.
He noted that within a year, Bayelsa had managed to repair roads in more than four local government areas, questioning why the federal government had not yet completed the rehabilitation of the East-West Road.
Speaking with Mr. Kingsley Onyema, the project supervisor from Rock Result, the company handling the project, Governor Diri questioned the logic of simultaneously working on both lanes instead of making at least one lane passable for motorists.
He urged the contractor to expedite their efforts, dismissing claims that driver impatience was to blame for the delays.
“It is chaotic, pathetic, and unbelievable that this is happening in an oil-producing area that lays the golden egg for our country,” Governor Diri said.
“The Federal Government must take urgent steps now. I commend their good intentions, but the Minister of Works needs to see this situation firsthand and not rely solely on the contractor’s reports. I have spoken to the Minister about this road.”
He continued, “The same 2022 flood that damaged roads in Bayelsa has seen us fix all of them. So how can such an important road be left in this condition? I am deeply pained.”
Governor Diri appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that all relevant officials take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the people.
He concluded by stating, “There appears to be no effective plan from the contractor, and the company should be replaced.”
