The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has urged the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, to ensure that the East-West Road is completed. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Mr Edegbe Odemwingie, APC Assistant Director (Publicity).

It said Odigie-Oyegun made the call when Uguru visited him at the party's National Secretariat. The chairman lamented the delay in the completion of the project. He said in spite of the huge funds that had been sunk into the road by successive administrations since 2006, the 338km dual carriage road, had remained uncompleted.

The road traverses towns in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta.

“You have one of the most challenging and strategic assignment as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“The Niger Delta is an area that had been steeped in unrest. You must ensure that the unrest does not arise again.

“You have the East-West Road which is a major challenge. It will be a significant achievement for this administration if the project is completed.

“The project will go a long way in assuring the region that this government is working in their interest.”

It would be recalled that contract for the construction of the East-West Road was first awarded in 2006. The statement disclosed that the APC was planning a three-day policy dialogue tentatively scheduled for March 2016 to dialogue on the way forward in the region. According to Odigie-Oyegun, the policy dialogue is expected to bring together party leaders, government and relevant stakeholders to exchange ideas and proffer solutions to guide the country on the challenges facing the country, particularly the economy.

The statement quoted the minister as earlier saying that the ministry would “contribute to the achievement of the party’s Change Agenda for the country and bring sustainable development to the Niger Delta area.”

The minister assured that priority would be given to the completion of the East-West road. (NAN)

•Photo shows Odigie-Oyegun.