FG Warns Niger Delta Youths Against Project Disruptions

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to youths in the Niger Delta, urging them to desist from obstructing ongoing federal road projects in the region.

The warning, delivered by Olufunsho Adebiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, highlighted concerns about entitlement mentality among some individuals in the area.

During an inspection tour of federal road projects in Rivers State, Adebiyi criticized the disruptive tendencies of youths who believe that oil production in the region entitles them to demand money and harass contractors.

He stressed that such actions were detrimental to project completion and noted that they were not observed in other parts of the country.

Adebiyi explained that while budget allocations are nearly equal across the six geo-political zones, the cost of executing projects varies significantly.

“What N10 can achieve in the North-West might only achieve one per cent of the same in the South-South,” he remarked, attributing this to factors like traffic volume and terrain challenges.

He appealed to residents to shift their perspective, emphasizing the collective nature of national resources.

“The nation operates a single treasury system. If you stop your contractor in the South-South from working, you leave resources for contractors in other zones,” he stated.

Adebiyi also addressed issues of road misuse in the Niger Delta, urging truck drivers and residents to avoid damaging road pavements through poor maintenance practices.

He cited examples such as diesel spills, engine oil leaks, and the use of pavements for drying food items, which compromise the integrity of the roads.

The Permanent Secretary praised the quality of completed sections of the Port Harcourt-Enugu Highway, particularly on the Aba side, but lamented the poor maintenance by residents.

He expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work on the Bodo-Bonny Road, while urging contractors to expedite progress to meet the December completion deadline.

“For your information, this project must be commissioned this year at all costs,” Adebiyi declared, underscoring President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure projects.

The government reiterated its resolve to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing projects in the region, urging cooperation from the local populace to achieve these goals.

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