…Calls For Full Disclosure Of Details Around Proposed Reconstruction
Ogheneruona Tejiri, Oghara
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for listening to the concerns raised by Urhobo Nation and other ethnic nationalities over the intervention of the Federal Government on Coastal Highway and East West Road.
This commendation was made by Rev. David Ugolor, Publisher, The Common Good Letter in a statement made available to Reformeronline, he said that the announced intervention on the alignment of the East–West Road offers an opportunity to address the suffering of millions of people who depend on this essential transport corridor.
Rev. Ugolor recalled the Presidency clarification on the East–West Road reconstruction, covering the route from Edo to Cross River State and the additional intervention alongside the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.
While welcoming the assurances on the alignment, the Publisher of Common Good Letter stressed the need for the Federal Government to publish clear implementation schedules and provide comprehensive information on the proposed East–West Road reconstruction.
Rev. Ugolor called on the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Works to disclose the project’s exact coverage, design, approval and procurement status, estimated cost, funding sources, contractors, contract sums, commencement dates and completion timelines.
The publisher of The Common Good Letter also urged the government to clarify how the proposed intervention would relate to existing East–West Road contracts to prevent duplication of responsibilities, double payments and abandoned projects just as he further called for adequate drainage and flood-protection measures, environmental safeguards, community consultations and independent project monitoring.
According to Rev. Ugolor, “the reconstruction of the East–West Road would provide significant relief to millions of residents, traders, farmers, transporters and businesses that depend on the corridor for their daily activities. A safe and durable road network would reduce transportation costs, improve access to markets and essential services, and strengthen economic activities across the Niger Delta.
“We urged the Federal Government to provide regular public progress reports, establish accessible channels for communities to report concerns, and undertake urgent repairs on dangerous and impassable sections of the road while preparations for comprehensive reconstruction continues.
“We also called on Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko and other Niger Delta communities to sustain peaceful, coordinated and non-partisan advocacy to ensure the projects are delivered.”
Rev. Ugolor then noted that The Presidency’s assurances must be backed by transparent procurement, adequate funding, credible timelines and visible improvements in the lives of road users across the region.
