East-West road project gulps N373.4b – Minister

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, on Friday said the East-West Road project had so far gulped more than N373.4 billion.

Oru disclosed this in Abuja at the 2014 Ministerial Press Briefing to showcase the achievements of the ministry at the mid-term of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He called for additional appropriation to the ministry to enhance its infrastructural development in the region.

According to him, the ongoing dualisation, reclamation and remediation work on the road has created job opportunities for indigenes of the region.

He said: “The construction of skills acquisition centres and building of housing units executed by the ministry in nine states of the region have also created jobs for the people.

“The dualisation of the road, which begun in 2006 but taken over by the ministry at 10 per cent completion in 2010, has now reached more than 81 per cent completion.

“With the level of commitment by this administration, the road will be completed and inaugurated in batches in 2015,” he said.

Oru said the ministry was also handling water, housing, electrification and other projects in other parts of the region.

He said: “The Ministry is handling four community water projects in Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Ondo States.

“This projects will provide portable water to more than 57 communities in the affected states when completed.

“We are also engaged in the electrification of four communities in the region.

“At the end, 487KM of power distribution lines and 211 transformers will be installed.”

Oru said a Niger Delta Action Plan had been approved to further accelerate development of the region as well as eliminate duplication of projects.

“The Action Plan provides the institutional framework to fast track development of the region and eliminates duplication of projects,” he said.