Chief Edwin K. Clark, the National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called on President Bola 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, Chief Clark described the dire conditions of critical road networks in the region, stressing their impact on the lives of citizens and the economy of the nation.
He stressed that the South-South region, which remains the country’s primary revenue base due to its oil production, has been unfairly neglected despite its contributions.
He noted several roads in disrepair, including the Benin-Auchi Road, where travel time has increased from 2½ hours to over 7 hours; the Sapele-Warri Road, which is a short 30-minute journey but now takes more than 2 hours; the Uyo-Itu-Calabar Road, a 90-kilometer trip that once took less than 2 hours but now stretches to over 6 hours; and the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road, where travel time has doubled to 4 hours.
Clark also decried the slow progress on the East-West Road, a vital artery connecting the region, stating that contractors cannot handle its unique terrain.
“It is unimaginable that a region producing billions in revenue daily is burdened by impassable roads,” he said.
Clark appealed to the President to prioritise the Niger Delta, declaring the state of the roads an emergency and allocating significant resources in the 2025 budget to address the issue.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate fairness and write your name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history,” Clark added, urging swift action to end the suffering of the people of the South-South.
