Category: Niger Delta

A group of repentant militants in Rivers State, under the aegis of Peace Legend Life Foundation (PLOLF), has said they will demolish all Federal Government strcutures in the state if the Presidential Amnesty Committee does not give them their dues.

They gave a 10-day ultimatum.

The group of 20 ex-militants spoke at a protest last weekend at their hideout called ‘Peace Barrack’ in Port Harcourt.

The group, which was led by Cornelius Dickson, said the protest was to draw the attention of the members of the public and seek the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathon and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

They said they were asked to drop guns and become a good citizen, but were betrayed.

The ex-militants, while chanting war songs, said they would ensure their rights were protected. They threatened to end the peace in the state.

They urged the Presidency to summon the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Elder Godsdays Orubebe and the Coordinator of Federal Government Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, to explain why they were excluded from the Amnesty Programme.

Dickson said he was made the Public Relations Officer of the House and Coordinator, Peace Legends of Life Foundation (PLOLF) when the rehabilitation started.

He said: “We were the first militants that came out from the creeks. My responsibility then was to assist government agent to call out the ex-militants from their hideout and handed them over to the state government for rehabilitation. This is because then you need a militant to get the militants out of his or her hideout.

“Some of our mates were sent abroad for training; even as of today training of ex-militants is still going on in different countries. When the state government set up their own amnesty committee, we were very happy with the hope that we will be part of it but we were excluded. All they keep on telling us is that we are special people that the Federal Government is going to train us abroad. Today, we are requesting that the money that could have been used in training us should be paid into our account or there will be problem.”

One of them, Godspower George, said they were offered 20 slots by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the leadership of Elder Aginighan, to travel to South Africa and Canada for training, but the offer did not get to them. He said a different set of youths were put on the trip by managers of the programme.

He alleged that 80 percent of those trained by the Federal Government were not militants.

“Have you seen those who claimed to be ex-militants? They don’t know how to speak the language of the jungle. They are brothers and sisters of the elite who were used to substitute the real militants. I know what we have suffered since we surrendered our guns and ammunition. Many things went wrong, promises were defied; men were abandoned and allowed to start a new life.

“But, the question is how do we survive? Do they want us to go into robbery or go back to the jungle? We live in the society where people devote their entire life on how to make their family become the best; even if it takes them to loot public fund, they don’t care. But, nobody cares about the other man who has nothing to eat.”

Oredo Local Government Area is perceived to be the richest among the 18 local government areas in Edo State. Its headquarters is Benin City and the council secretariat is located at the Oba Ovoramwen Square, popularly called ‘Ring Road’, the city centre. It houses important government institutions, such as the Palace of the Benin Monarch, Edo State House of Assembly, Government House, National Museum, Igun Bronze Guild, Igbesamwan wood carvers, Central Bank of Nigeria and a host of others.

The central location of Oredo makes it an envy of other local councils. The nine gates that lead to the heart of the ancient Benin Kingdom meet at Oredo. It is the oldest local councils as it served as headquarters of ancient Benin Kingdom. The urban renewal project of Governor Adams Oshiomhole has given a facelift to the locality, especially at the city centre.

Although not listed among the oil bearing local government areas of the state, its wealth lies in the abundant sources of revenue not available in other local governments. Some of the sources are the three cemeteries, over five major markets, thousands of lock-up stores, commercial motorists, hawkers amongst others.

With the several revenue points available to the council, it is still struggling to survive and provide the much-needed basic and social amenities for its residents. A council official said the supposed council revenues end up in private pockets. The council official said many revenue points of the council were given to contractors who pay peanuts into the coffers of the council.

Sadly, the huge revenue base of Oredo has not translated to basic amenities for residents, especially those in the few rural areas in the locality. But for the on-going renovation at the council secretariat, the building used to be an eye-sore compared to other buildings that dot the Oba Ovoramen Square.

Analysts are of the opinion that Oredo can survive without depending on federal allocation but the reverse is the case as the council officials were usually owned salaries when there is delay in the release of federal allocations.

At the return to democratic rule in 1999, Oredo was administered under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by Deacon Nosa Ehiman (two-terms) and Edos Ebomoyi. Ehiman was sacked by Oshiomhole in 2009 for financial misappropriation and his deputy, Omorogieva Gbajumo, who later defected to the defunct ACN, was asked to complete his tenure. The council is now under the leadership of Osaro Obazee elected under the platform of the ACN now All Progressives Congress (APC).

Save the re-construction and renovation of some major roads by Oshiomhole, other roads in the locality, except those in the Government Reservation Area are not motorable. The few road projects executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were poorly done while some still under construction appeared abandoned.

Potable water is still a mirage as residents rely on private borehole operators to get drinking water. Over 70 boreholes sunk by successive administrations, including some executed by lawmakers as constituency projects, are no longer functional. Two water projects executed under the Quickwin and CGS MDGs in 2009 have been overgrown by weeds.

The MDGs boreholes, which are solar-powered, are located at Evbowe community, while the other is located at Plymouth Road. Mr. Obakpolor Festus, charged with the MDGs borehole at Plymouth Road, said it is faulty and N80,000 is required to fix it.

At the cemeteries, our reporter was informed that the cost of burying a body is N25,000. Of the sum, N8000 goes to the local government, N15,000 for the contractor and N2000 for the cemetry attendants. Those willing to play balls with officials pay N10,000 and N20,000. But, the official price is N5,000 for burial at the cemetery and N10,000 at residence.

Yet, the cemeteries are overgrown with weeds.

Traders at the markets said they pay N560 daily for ticket after paying between N10,000 and N20,000 yearly to the council depending on the size of the shop. There are no electricity supply and water at the markets. Hawkers, food vendors, barbecue (suya) sellers and night traders selling on walkways pay between N50 and N100 daily to agents of the council.

Commercial motorists pay between N200 and N300 to the council. In 2011, members of the National Union of Local Government Employees battled a former revenue agent for the local council, Osakpamwan Eriyo after several months’ delay of payment of salaries.

The NULGE members said the transport revenue contract was given out for N800, 000 per month even though just one route fetches N57,000 daily.

Rural communities in Oredo are worst hit. Head of Evbovbiuke community, Pa Ogbeide George, said basic amenities in the community were done through self-help effort.

He said there was no school, electricity, health centres in the community. The only school in the community has six pupils and two teachers and classes are held in the sitting room of the village head.

Pupils at Evbuodia, Ulemo, Uholor, Evbowe and others attend secondary school in faraway Ogba village. The NDDC road project linking the communities was washed off and another road project is under way.

Lawmakers representing Oredo at the state and national assemblies are Senator Ehigie Uzamere; Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe (Oredo West); Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo East) and Hon Razaq Bello-Osagie representing Oredo Federal Constituency.

Razaq recently inaugurated solar-powered boreholes, street-lights and 500kva transformers as his constituency projects. Speaker Igbe donated chairs to some schools but Senator Uzamere is yet to show any project influenced to the locality.

A public commentator, Kola Edokpayi, described what is happening at Oredo as sardonic.

Edokpayi said: “There are no roads in Oredo. When it rains, you cannot pass through the roads. The governor has tried to build and renovate some schools but Oredo has not been able to meet its responsibilities in building schools. As big as Oredo, there is no Motor Park. It is bad to discover that Oredo that is the oldest and richest is under-developed.

“The chairman and lawmakers representing Oredo should wake up from their slumber and ensure that the dividends of democracy are being delivered in Oredo. Those hawking sachet water pay tax in Oredo. The local government is rich but no development. I don’t see any change taking place because those in charge are still tied to aprons of political vampires.”

The council boss, Osaro Obazee, has a budget proposal of N3.9 billion for 2013 fiscal year with recurrent expenditure pegged at N1.5 billion while capital expenditure was estimated at N2.374 billion. During his campaigns, he promised to block revenue leakages as well as end situations where individuals are richer than the council.

 The by-election for the Delta Central senatorial district has been slated for next Saturday, October 12, Southsouth Regional Editor Shola O’NEIL and OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE assess the chances of the candidates of the APC, DPP and PDP vis-à-vis their strengths and weaknesses.

All is now set for the October 12, by-election to fill the vacant Delta Central Senatorial District seat. The three political parties in Delta State have elected their representatives for the contest.

The stupendously wealthy, vastly experienced financial expert Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, is flying the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC); a former National Assembly member and ex-NDDC Managing Director, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo is under the umbrella of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Chief Ede Dafinone, scion of the history-making accounting family, is reckoning with the Democratic People’s Party (DPP).

On paper, it would seem a straight fight between the PDP and DPP candidates, but recent events and the emergence of Emerhor has altered the calculation in the race to step into the shoes of the late charismatic Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido.

The primaries of the parties were not without controversies – some of the defeated candidates alleged vote-buying and the PDP candidate was anointed in Abuja.

Each of the three parties has a point to prove. The PDP is desperate to shake off the incursion of the DPP into what was its stronghold. For the newly registered APC, the election presents an opportunity for it to test its might and a would boost its chances in 2015. The leader of the DPP, Chief Great Ogboru is desperate to prove to his supporters that he is not a spent force. It may be Dafinone’s name on the party’s ticket, but the real candidate is Ogboru, whose political survival is inextricably linked to the outcome of the titanic battle of October 12.

In 2011, DPP, with the massive grassroots backing of Ewherido, clinched the ticket to the chagrin of the ruling PDP. The vibrant senator later fell out with Ogboru over irreconcilable differences – not unconnected with their governorship ambitions. Before his untimely death, it was an open secret that Ewherido and his supporters had moved to then unregistered APC.

This is how the candidates stand.

Aguariavwodo – PDP

The emergence of this former NDDC Managing Director as PDP candidate was both a masterstroke and a huge surprise. His opponents included Chief Ighoyota Amori, who flew the party’s flag in 2011 but was seen as ‘unsellable’ now. The man who Amori defeated in 2011, Halims Agoda, a former member of the House of Representatives, also lost out this time; even though he is believed to be a better choice.

The choice of Aguariavwodo is believed to be a deal to appease the people of Ughelli Federal Constituency, from where the late Ewherido hails. Yet, some politicians in the area feel that Aguariavwodo wasn’t the best candidate. He faces an uphill task after a long political hiatus occasioned by his loss of the PDP governorship primaries in 2007 in spite of the support of the apex Urhobo socio-cultural organization, Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), which may likely back the APC’s Emerhor.

Many believe that the former NDDC MD has lost his relevance in the treacherous Delta politics. It was also learnt that his kinsmen are yet to forgive him for throwing away his plum job and their chance in the NDDC for his untenable 2007 dream.

Our checks revealed that some key PDP members in the area also do not see Aguariavwodo as a core party man. His election into the NASS in 1999 was on the platform of the then APP. It was also believed that his nomination for the NDDC job was on the strength of his closeness to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Also, rather than help, it is believed that the Ughelli sympathy which informed his choice may hurt the PDP because Ewherido’s Prudent Democratic Movement (PDM), the machinery of the late Ewherido is now firmly in the hands of Emerhor and the APC.

Nevertheless, political pundits believe that the influence and resources of the PDP in the State gives hands him a slim advantage over the other candidates, particularly because of his neutrality in the various PDP factions in the state.

But whether he is able to match the intimidating financial resources and goodwill of Emerhor and the larger than life image of Dafinone’s DPP remains to be seen. The backlash from the grouse of aggrieved contestants who bowed unwillingly to pressure from Abuja may yet haunt him and PDP.

Emerhor – APC

In Olorogun Emerhor, the APC has a seasoned businessman, financial expert and Urhobo nationalist who is familiar with the politics of the state as its candidate. His inheritance of PDM is an added advantage which could sway the late Ewherido’s supporters to his side.

Emerhor, like Aguariavwodo, participated in the 2007 PDP gubernatorial primaries and lost to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Despite his failure in 2007, Emerhor has continued to be an active participant in politics and has kept strong political machinery intact.

He is a close ally of Great Ogboru and he told our reporter on Tuesday morning that they remain friends who are only separated by their political interests. Like the late senator, Emerhor actively supporter Ogboru’s gubernatorial push in 2011 and his departure from the DPP is expected to hurt the party.

He has used his immense wealth to better the lot of the Urhobo people with several scholarship schemes and philanthropist gestures all over the clans and kingdoms in the eight LGAs. Pundits say this might stand him in good stead as he canvasses for votes amongst his kinsmen.

Aside from his involvement in politics, Emerhor is patron of many Urhobo socio-cultural associations. When the UPU desired an ultra modern cultural centre at Uvwiamughe-Agbarho, he contributed financially, along with other wealthy Urhobo, to make the dream a reality. And when the UPU needed somebody to lead Board of Special Fund Management, he is the one they turned to. His opponents fear that this could lead to his endorsement by UPU.

Despite his active role in the politics of the state, some analysts believe he faces an uphill task in dislodging the behemoth PDP. The APC is yet to gain traction in Urhobo land. He is also not seen as possessing the political drive needed to gather the assets of the APC in Urhobo.

The acrimonious end of the party’s primary and the tantrum of Festus Keyamo in the aftermath of the party’s primary may turn around to work against him in Uvwie Local Government Area, a fluid political terrain that is capable of swinging elections in the state.

Besides, because of the huge influence of the PDP at the state level, APC is expected to feed from the same pot of disgruntled and disenchanted voters as the DPP. In that contest, it is expected that it will come as a second best because of the influence of the so-called ‘Peoples General’ – Ogboru.

Dafinone – DPP

Although a greenhorn in Delta politics, analysts believe that Ede Dafinone remains the candidate to beat. Apart from the influence of his party, the youthful DPP flagbearer may benefit from the political alliances forged by his father, Senator David Dafinone, a chieftain of the defunct NPN in the 1980’s.

Also, the Ogboru-factor is still portent and may swing the election his way. The Abraka-born Ogboru is arguably the symbol of the Urhobo’s political struggle. Pundits believe that his name alone is enough to swing the pendulum in the candidate’s favour, particularly among those above 40.

Dafinone has also learnt his political lessons have contested the 2011 senatorial primaries on the party’s platform and narrowly losing to Senator Pius Ewerhido. He has reinvented himself thus enabling him clinch the ticket to represent the DPP.

In an interview with The Nation shortly after his victory at the primaries in Ughelli, Dafinone said: “I understand the needs of the people and want to represent the senatorial district to help make policies that will make it easier for development to come to the area. I am a strong advocate for federal attention to the area and bring about a sharper federal focus on the challenges facing the area.”

But is Ogboru still the force in politics that he was since 2003 when he first ventured into Delta politics? Has the Urhobo’s not grown weary of backing a loser and want a change in its political fortunes? Will Ogboru be able to re-enact his acclaimed magic wand and stem the rising profiles of Aguariavwodo and Emerhor?

Beyond his father’s name and the pineapple symbol of the DPP, Chief Ede Dafinone is an unknown quantity in the dynamic politics of Delta State. Our checks in the eight local government areas of Delta Central showed that six of 10 respondents could not identify his picture. Some jokingly referred to him as ‘Oyinbo’ (Caucasian) because of his fair looks.

But, in as much as Ogboru is his strength, the weakness of the perennial governorship aspirant may also turn around to hurt Dafinone’s chance. Our investigations revealed that the scope and influence of the DPP and Ogboru have eroded in the past years after he lost the election and the rivalry with the Ewherido before the latter’s death. As a result, the DPP may not do so well in Ughelli area.

A very high profile DPP stalwart told our reporter that there is concern that the numbers of their supporters who left with Emerhor to the APC is causing nightmare for them.

“In some local government areas where are so divided that you cannot say if those who left are not more that those who remain. This is a concern,” our source said.

Some DPP’s supporters are becoming weary of playing the politics of opposition, particularly with a party that only had a senator as elected political officeholder in the national scene. It is therefore expected that those who detest PDP may sync with the APC instead of continuing with the ilelaja (pineapple symbol of DPP).

Some areas, such as Ethiope, Ughelli and Sapele, will decide who wins the seats.

Ethiope

The real battleground in the impending bye-election may be in Ethiope Federal Constituency, an area that has never produced a senator in Urhobo history. The PDP missed the chance to capitalise on this when it overlooked Hon Agoda.

Comprising two large local government areas spreading from Oghara, headquarters of Ethiope West to Abraka (Ethiope East), voters in this heavily-populated area are expected to cast their vote for either Emerhor or Dafinone.

Ughelli/Udu

The influence of the deputy governor, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN) and those of the APC and PDP candidates make it difficult to predict. But, the ghost of Ewherido may work in favour of the APC candidate, particularly in the Olomu and Ewu areas.

Okpe/Sapele

Barring any unforeseen event and factor, Okpe is expected to be Dafinone’s stronghold, because of the influence of his father. It is largest dialect in the Urhobo land. The Okpes occupy Sapele and Okpe LGA’s, which may go to DPP, but the split in his party and influence of Delta State Commissioner for Housing, Chief Paulinus Akpeki and others may work in PDP’s favour. Evelyn Ojakovo, member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency won on the platform of PDP in 2011.

Uvwie

The Uvwie people are very independent and mostly vote against the PDP in past elections. If the APC can woo back Keyamo and use the influence of the highly respected Dr Veronica Ogbuagu, a former Commissioner of Education and private school owner, as well as the fractured DPP support it may well clinch the votes in the area.

The judgment delivered in the Calabar High Court by Justice Elias Abua on September 25 was the latest in the litigations that have characterised the reign of the Muri Munene of the Efut of Calabar in Cross River State, Muri Munene Efiong Mbukpa.

Calabar is made up of the Efik, the Efut and the Qua headed by the traditional institutions of the Obong, the Muri Munene and the Ndidem respectively.

The crisis among Efut has been on since 2009 when the former Muri Munene Ita Okokon Ekpenyong Ebuka Ebuka IV got sick traditionally. It was learnt Muri Efiong Okokon Mbukpa had emerged as his successor after carrying out the necessary traditional rites and proclaimed as Muri Munene of the Efut by the Efut Combined Assembly, the highest policy and decision making body.

Chairman of the Efut Combined Assembly, Ndabo Obo E. E. Obo from Ifako clan, said Efiong Mbukpa was duly selected having been fully qualified and carrying out all the required traditional rites after the death of the former paramount ruler.

He said Mbukpa had performed all the traditional rites to mount the throne and that, according to the tradition of the Efut, whoever performs the burial rites of the late monarch automatically takes over and that the rites had been done many years ago except otherwise somebody wants to exhume the corpse of the late monarch.

A 2011 judgment of the High Court presided over by Justice Obojor Ogar recognised Mbukpa as Muri Munene having being discharging his duties as such.

Governor Liyel Imoke, at various fora, recognised Mbukpa as the paramount ruler of the Efut.

But, Mbukpa has had a running battle with other contestants, the most persistent being Prof Itam Hogan.

It is also believed that a top government official is averse to Mbukpa as the paramount ruler of the Efut.

Early last year, Mbukpa was attacked in his palace by thugs believed to be sponsored by his opponents. The monarch barely escaped with his life. The state government has locked up the palace since then.

On September 21, last year, the government, through the Special Adviser to the Governor, John Eyikwaje, organised a selection ceremony for the stool which saw Hogan emerge in spite of a court order. The exercise, which was held at the Calabar South Local Government headquarters amidst tight security, was boycotted by Mbukpa.

Mbukpa, Ndabu Obo E. Obo, Chairman of Efut Combined Assembly and the Secretary Ndabu Godwin Bassey filed an Order of Certiorari seeking to quash the decision of the government to conduct selection into the office of the Muri Munene.

The September 25 judgment struck out an application by Mbukpa to quash the selection process.

Immediately after the judgment, Mbukpa’s opponents went to town with the news that his rulership had been nullified. But, Mbukpa insisted that he still remained Muri Munene.

He said: “I asked that the selection of Itam be squashed. He was not selected. We have not gone forward or backwards; so, the status quo stands and we have gone on appeal too. The judgment did not make any pronouncement. The court did not say I was no longer the Muri Munene, neither did they say what they did on the 21st was right. So, it is neither here nor there. I will follow this matter to the Supreme Court. We have already appealed. I am happy about the ruling because it did not say Itam is now the Muri Munene nor did it say I was no longer Muri Munene.

“The tradition tells us who is to conduct the selection process of the paramount ruler, not government. The government has no hand in it.”

In the judgment, the judge stated that the Cross River government and Eyikwaje denied taking part in the selection process that threw up Hogan.

He said because of this there was nothing to quash.

But, Mbukpa has already headed to the Appeal Court to seek redress. Relief sought was the prayer that the appeal be allowed the judgment be set aside.

In the wake of the crisis, the government in 2010 set up an administrative panel of inquiry. The committee concluded its assignment and submitted its report.

Obo, in a chat with Niger Delta Report, urged the government to publish the report, as this, he said, would go a long way in dousing the tension.

Mbukpa headed to the High Court on July 2, praying the court to compel the government to publish the report of the administrative panel of inquiry.

When the governor visited Mbukpa in his palace last year during his political campaign, he said the government was studying the report of the panel.

It used to be notorious for all manners of crimes. But, the popular Enerhen Junction, where Warri metropolis meets Effurun, Delta State, has turned a new leaf, reports Southsouth Regional Editor SHOLA O’NEIL.

Enerhen Junction, the popular intersection where Warri metropolis, headquarters of Warri South Local Government Area meets Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, is no stranger to even those who have not been to the oil-rich area. The nefarious crimes that daily occurred there were common jokes around the country. A Warri-born comedian, I-Go-Die, often tells joke about how careful one has to be in the area.

Beyond being a confluence of the twin cities, the area was, until recently, what Oshodi was to Lagos – a notorious crime spot, where all sorts of crimes take place in broad day light and at night. In the early days of the Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM), thousands of mobile handsets were stolen there, some of them taken from their owners while on a call.

Those searching for their stolen items could also re-purchase them at this notorious junction. There is even a joke about a pickpocket who stole a mobile phone and searched out the victim two days later. When he found him, he told him: “Abeg (please) give me the password because since I collect am (stole it) from you, I never fit use am because e lock.”

It is a funny gag, but one that is sadly not far from what hapless victims went through at the junction.

It was not only synonymous with crimes. Enerhen Junction was also infamous for its notorious traffic gridlock, which sometimes aided criminals to dispossess victims ensnared in the horror traffic. Those who could, unusually avoided it like plague; but its strategic location meant that very few had that liberty. It leads to Enerhen, Orhumworhun, Aladja, Udu, Ogbe-Ijoh and other communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area and links these towns to Effurun and Warri metropolis.

As a result, rush hours are usually hellish at the spot, which is made worse by activities of reckless commercial vehicle drivers who park indiscriminately without recourse to the welfare of other road users.

It was the relief from these nightmares that attracted thousands of residents and motorists who trooped out last Saturday to witness the unveiling of the new Enerhen Junction by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. The new look junction starts from Enerhen Road through Enerhen Motel, which was redesigned and expanded to three lanes with one specially designated for commercial vehicles.

The new look main junction features six-lane traffic (three each for on- and out-going traffics); with medians that lock bus drivers into their lane and prevent the usual lane-crossing and shunting and a set of traffic lights. There are also neat modern bus stops with walkways that keep pedestrians off the road and ensure orderliness in queue.

Speaking at the inauguration, Uduaghan said the new look was part of a 12-junction/intersection renewal project aimed at easing traffic in major towns and cities of the state.

He said: “We have embarked on urban renewal in this part of the state because our people are not dirty.”

The governor condemned the attitude of some areas to cleanliness, noting, “This improvement work we have done here is to state the fact that we can be clean.”

He noted that Enerhen junction was reputed for criminal activities, which he said, would be checked with the improvement of the junction.

Uduaghan added: “We will replicate this in other major junctions across the state and we want your continuous support. We must keep our surroundings clean and ensure that wastes are properly disposed off.”

Commissioner for Special Duties in charge of Special Infrastructure Mrs Orezi Esievo said N3.175 billion was approved for improvement work on 12 junctions.

She said: “The popular Enerhen junction was deliberately selected for commencement of the project because it was easily the most challenging in terms of congestion and hardship experienced by residents as a result of incessant traffic jams and other difficulties.

“The main objective of the work was to decongest the selected junctions and to promote free flow of traffic in them thereby, enhancing economic and social activities in both cities.”

The governor said the contract for the construction of a flyover to ease traffic congestion at the PTI Road Junction had been awarded. He said the contractor had been mobilised to site. When completed, the flyover would evacuate traffic on the strategic junction of the East/West highway as well as that on the Eku/Abraka/Agbor expressway being dualised by the government.

The inauguration was attended by Deputy Governor Prof Amos Utuama (SAN); Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health, Hon Ndudi Elumelu; member representing Uvwie Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon Efe Ofobruku; and the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Abe I and members of Uvwie Council of Chiefs.

While commending the governor for the transformation of Enerhen Junction, guests who spoke with Niger Delta Report urged the governor to ensure that all major ongoing projects in the twin cities were completed to compliment work he did at the junction.

Mr. Sunny Ebiem, a businessman, said: “It is not enough to clap for the governor for this; there are so many bad spots begging for attention. It is only when the governor completes areas like the Okumagba Avenue dualisation, fill the potholes created by the water projects on major roads in the cities and complete the channelisation projects that we can begin to say he has done something.”

Others who spoke with our reporter called for similar transformation of the massive roundabouts at Airport Junction, Okumagba Avenue/Okere Junction and Jakpa Junction, among others.