The South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI) has given the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) a 14-day ultimatum to address the abandonment of the Bien-Gwara–Laalaa Road project in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The group, in a joint statement with the Bien-Gwara Community, warned that it would organise peaceful protests and petition relevant government authorities if the commission failed to provide a satisfactory response and demonstrate tangible steps towards rehabilitating the road within the stipulated period.

The ultimatum followed what the youths and the community described as prolonged neglect of the road despite several letters, appeals and representations by the community to the NDDC.

In the statement signed by its National President, Imeabe Saviour Oscar, the SSYI said the deplorable condition of the road had subjected residents to hardship, disrupted economic activities and hindered the transportation of agricultural produce, goods and services.

It described the road as a critical economic corridor serving thousands of people, insisting that its continued neglect was unacceptable.

“It is deeply worrisome and unacceptable that despite the patience and lawful approach adopted by the community, the NDDC has failed to give a satisfactory response or demonstrate any tangible intervention on the road,” the statement said.

The organisation called on the NDDC management to acknowledge and respond to previous correspondence from the community, provide an update on the project's approval and funding status, and disclose the identity of the contractor handling the project, if one had been appointed.

It also demanded an immediate inspection and technical assessment of the road, the commencement or resumption of construction work, and a definite timeline for the project's execution and completion.

The group further urged the commission to establish a communication channel with community leaders and youth representatives to facilitate information sharing and monitoring of the project.

The SSYI said it had exhausted peaceful avenues of engagement and would be compelled to take further action if the NDDC failed to meet its demands within 14 days of receiving the statement.

It listed peaceful mass protests and formal petitions to the Presidency, the National Assembly Committee on NDDC and relevant anti-graft agencies among the measures it would consider to compel the commission complete the road.

The group, however, stressed that any action taken would remain peaceful and within the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Our preference remains dialogue and peaceful resolution. We believe no responsible government institution would want a legitimate community demand to escalate when it can be resolved through timely intervention,” the statement added.

The SSYI appealed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, to treat the matter with urgency, saying the Bien-Gwara people had waited patiently for the project to receive the attention it deserved.

Copies of the statement were sent to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services in the state, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, the Rivers State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area and the Rivers State Commissioner for Works.