PANDEF Faults N3.9tn FEC Road Projects, Says Niger Delta Grossly Shortchanged

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of N3.9 trillion for road infrastructure projects, alleging that the South-South region was largely excluded from the nationwide intervention despite its critical contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, PANDEF National Chairman, Godknows Boladei Igali, said the Niger Delta was “grossly shortchanged” in the allocation of the 26 major road projects approved across 15 states.

According to Igali, the only project linked to the South-South is the Benue–Cross River road, leaving major parts of the oil-producing region without significant federal road infrastructure despite serving as Nigeria’s economic backbone through oil and gas production.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council for prioritising national infrastructure, PANDEF maintained that the allocation was unfair and failed to address the region’s longstanding infrastructure challenges.

The forum also expressed concern over the prolonged delay in completing the East-West Road, describing the project as a symbol of failed infrastructure delivery despite repeated assurances from the Federal Ministry of Works.

In addition, PANDEF lamented the deteriorating condition of key maritime facilities in the region, including the ports in Calabar Port, Onne Port, Port Harcourt Port and Warri Port, alleging that they have suffered years of neglect without any clear plan for rehabilitation, expansion or modernisation.

Describing the situation as “starving the goose that lays the golden egg,” PANDEF warned that the continued neglect of the Niger Delta could heighten feelings of marginalization among the people.

The regional body therefore appealed to President Tinubu to review the distribution of the approved road projects to ensure fairness, equity and balanced national development.

Despite its concerns, PANDEF reaffirmed the Niger Delta’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through increased oil and gas production while urging the Federal Government to demonstrate greater justice in the allocation of critical infrastructure projects across all geopolitical zones.