By Emmanuel Enebeli
ABUJA/Nigeria: In a fervent plea directed at His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Organised Ndokwa Effort (ONE) has urgently implored Presidential approval for the construction of the crucial ‘Coastal Road’ within the NELGA Oil & Gas producing hub.
The pressing appeal highlights the vital necessity of this infrastructure for the Ndokwa people and Nigeria’s economic advancement.
In a letter dated September 29, 2023, signed by the leadership of ONE and received at the Office of the Chief of Staff on October 9, 2023, expressed gratitude for the President’s leadership while emphasizing the indispensable role President Tinubu could play in breaking a long-standing impasse. He remarked, “Only your political will can break the age-long jinx… which presents a huge opportunity before you to harvest.”
The proposed Coastal Trunk Road aims to interconnect numerous Oil & Gas producing communities spanning Ndokwa-East LGA, ultimately terminating at Patani in the Delta South district.
The letter stressed its significance, stating, “The impact of your special gesture of approval will resonate across the various host communities of the region who will be eternally grateful to you for identifying with our plight.”
This project, estimated at a length of 160 kilometers, carries the potential to revolutionize agricultural transportation and enhance the efficiency of oil and gas logistics operations. Additionally, it is perceived as a crucial measure to mitigate youth restiveness and promote peace among stakeholders.
The accompanying dossier emphasizes Ndokwa East LGA’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, underscoring the critical need for infrastructural development in this economically vital area.
The consortium’s appeal earnestly seeks Presidential support in establishing the ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Road’ as a catalyst for the South-South economic belt, urging necessary approvals to commence the project before December 2023.
While awaiting Presidential action, the aspirations and hopes of the Ndokwa people are contingent upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s endorsement to realize this transformative infrastructure development, aimed at uplifting communities and bolstering economic growth in the region.
The plea arrives at a critical juncture, raising concerns about the investment priorities of major oil companies in the region. Recent financial dealings involving Agip, Intel, and key individuals have prompted worries regarding a substantial disparity between road development costs and significant corporate expenditures. The call for a USD 20 million road construction against extensive transactions in the hundreds of millions has intensified appeals for corporate responsibility and government intervention.
It emphasisied that “Only your political will can break the age-long jinx… which presents a huge opportunity before you to harvest.” highlighting,
“The impact of your special gesture of approval will resonate across the various host communities of the region who will be eternally grateful to you for identifying with our plight.” They stated.
They further appealed for the presidents saying, “Your kind consideration and approval for the use of the Tax Credit Scheme or PPP to fund and implement the project will be of immense credit to you.”
This resounding call for infrastructural development encapsulates the urgency and magnitude of the Ndokwa people’s appeal for progress and equitable economic growth in the region.
The letter was signed by Sen. E. W. T Diffa, JP (Patron, ONE), Okei Ossai Udom (Chairman, ONE), and Svt. Rodney Odibe Odili-Obi (Coordinator, ONE.
The Acknowledged Letter
