PANDEF Critiques Niger Delta's N3.9 Trillion Road Project

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed strong discontent regarding the perceived marginalization of the Niger Delta in the context of a N3.9 trillion road project approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). During a media briefing in Abuja, PANDEF's chairman, Godknows Igali, highlighted that only N86 billion of the total budget was allocated to the Niger Delta, despite the region being home to five states and significant infrastructure needs.

Igali pointed out that the approved 26 major projects span 15 states, with none of them adequately addressing the critical infrastructure decay in the Niger Delta. He criticized the slow progress of the East-West Road, which has become a symbol of failed projects, and noted the neglect of major ports in Calabar, Onne, and Port Harcourt.

Igali described the situation as unacceptable and detrimental to the region's development, while also commending the Tinubu-led FEC for planning robust road projects and urging for sufficient inclusion of the Niger Delta in future allocations.