The Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF) has called on the federal government to support the development of Modular Refineries in the Niger Delta Region to stamp out unwholesome, unauthorised refining of crude as a way of providing employment for the teeming youth in the region.
This is just as they decried the rising rate of poverty in the Niger Delta caused by the deplorable condition of critical infrastructure in the region.
PANDEF noted with dismay that the social and economic activities of the region have been crippled by the collapse of major roads in the area.
The group made the observation in a communique issued at the end of an expanded national executive committee meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, weekend.
In a communique signed by its national chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, PANDEF urged the federal government to urgently fix bad roads in the region, especially some sections of the East-West Road on the Eleme-Onne, Patani, Kiama-Mbiama axis.
It also mentioned that sections of the Port Harcourt – Aba, Benin –Auchi, Benin-Sapale-Warri, Benin-Agbor, Sapele – Agbor, Calabar – Itu, Ikot Ekpene-Aba, highways have all become impassable.
The group said, “It is entirely unacceptable that the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg is being neglected.
“We demand immediate intervention works on the failed sections of the cited roads, and others, by the Federal Ministry of Works, and other relevant agencies without further delay to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.”
