Clark Urges Tinubu to Declare State of Emergency on South-South Road Infrastructure

Elder statesman Edwin Clark calls on President Tinubu to prioritize the South-South region by declaring a state of emergency on its deteriorating road infrastructure, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

On Sunday, Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly declare a state of emergency concerning the roads in the South-South region.

In a letter to the president, Clark condemned the poor condition of roads in the oil-rich region, highlighting it as a critical issue causing significant hardship for its residents.

He called on President Tinubu to prioritize the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the region’s road network in the 2025 federal budget, aiming to alleviate residents’ hardships and bolster economic development.

I am making a heartfelt appeal for you to declare an EMERGENCY in the upcoming 2025 Budget, and urge your Minister of Works and relevant agencies to intensify their efforts in repairing these roads. Mr. President, we insist that the condition of the Niger Delta—the country’s treasure base—must be declared an emergency by 2025 without further delay.

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Clark asserted that the region, as a vital treasure base of the country, deserves some attention.

Mr. President, I understand that resources are limited and demands are high; however, it is perplexing why the roads in the communities responsible for generating vital national resources are in such poor condition. It’s already disheartening to see the Niger Delta endure decades of environmental damage—a situation which will take generations to rectify. To think that despite our region contributing billions daily to national revenue, we still struggle with basic transportation among ourselves is truly hard to comprehend.

At the present production rate of 1.8 million barrels per day, which we, as regional leaders in collaboration with the government, have attained and are striving to enhance further, it is puzzling why our region’s roads remain in such poor condition. With current oil prices at US$73 per barrel, it’s clear that we’re generating sufficient revenue; therefore, conditions like these should not persist in the Niger Delta. The funds needed for road repairs amount to less than a week’s worth of oil production profits.

Benin-Auchi Road typically requires 2½ hours for commuters. Currently, however, the journey takes an average of 7 hours. In extreme situations, travelers are forced to detour through rural communities in Ekiti State before rejoining the main road.