From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Concerned Niger Delta leaders have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to remedy the deteriorating conditions of the Calabar-Itu Road and the ongoing ecological disaster affecting communities in the region.
They emphasised the urgent need for government’s intervention to prevent further degradation of the environment and improve infrastructure that is vital for economic development.
The leaders asserted that without prompt action, the situation would worsen, exacerbating social unrest and economic challenges in the region.
The delegation led by former acting national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ntufam Hilliard Eta, and Chief Ayari Emami, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
Eta told State House Correspondents that they raised concerns over crumbling roads and severe ecological degradation across states such as Bayelsa, Ondo, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
He also highlighted the ongoing ecological issues affecting the region, which they said required immediate intervention.
“We have some ecological concerns in Bayelsa, Ondo, and also have certain very bad roads in Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
“In fact, the only road that connects Cross River and Akwa Ibom is impassable at this point. These are some of the issues we brought to his attention.”
Asked about the President’s response, Eta described him as “attentive” and “positively disposed” to addressing the region’s challenges.
On timelines for interventions, he said: “You see, we did not go into the details of timelines and all of that. But, we have brought it to his attention, and because he is positively disposed to addressing these challenges facing our people, we are very sure that, in no time, he will pay attention to those matters.
“One of the things we also discussed in terms of the leadership challenges of Nigeria—my own take personally—is that in leadership and the kind of leadership that Nigeria needs today, technocrats do not build a nation, politicians don’t build a nation, only patriots do. We are happy that we have a patriot in Aso Villa. We are delighted that Nigeria is number one in this regard,” he said.