The Niger Delta People’s Movement (NDPM) on Wednesday commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s government on the scheduled flag-off for the construction of Bonny/Bomu road in Rivers on Thursday.
The Coordinator of NDPM, Mrs Ibifuro Thompson-Tatua, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that Buhari was truly disposed to the development of the region.
Thompson-Tatua said that the Bonny/Bomu road been abandoned for several years was a critical infrastructure to the people of Rivers and Niger Delta region at large.
She said that the level of development in Bonny and its environs was not at par with the volume of Oil and Gas activity on the island.
“This is simply because most prospective investors that would want to invest in Bonny are scared of water transportation.
“People are afraid of boat mishap, sea-piracy, kidnapping and other vices on the waterways, so, the news of the inauguration of the construction of the road is a thing of joy,’’ she said.
According to Thompson-Tatua, the construction of the road will open up economic activities in the area and also create employment.
“In the short-run, you can imagine the multiplier effect when the construction of the N120 billion road will commence, in terms of jobs that will be created.
“The multiplier effect in the long-run will be more massive because it will lead to the establishment of more businesses that will employ youths in Bonny and Gokana Local Government Areas,” she added.
The NDPM Coordinator called on youths in the area to be peaceful and ensure that they jealously guard the environment for the contractor to work without hindrance.
She commended Mr Chibuike Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, for attracting development to Rivers from the Federal Government and showing leadership in the South-South.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bonny/Bomu road is a partnership project between the Federal Government and Nigeria Liquefied natural Gas (NLNG).