Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has secured the sum of N10.4bn for the completion of construction work on the East- West Road, from the 2021 Sovereign Sukuk Issuance.
The cheque was presented in Abuja on Thursday, by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.
In a statement signed by the Director of media and publicity, Deworitshe Patricia and made available to Channel Network Afrique (CNA), the Minister disclosed that the Eleme Junction to Onne, a 15-kilometer section of the East- West was abandoned due to lack of funds which necessitated the Sukuk funding.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ardo Babayo, recall that during the 2021 budget presentation, it was agreed that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs will contribute the sum of N10bn from its meagre N19bn for capital projects, with the understanding that the Ministry of Finance would add N35bn and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) N35bn, making N80bn for the completion and commissioning of that road by President Muhammadu Buhari this year.
“Before now, the Niger Delta Ministry had mobilised the RCC for necessary repairs on the collapsed portion of the road, as a stop gap measure, for easy vehicular and human movements. The Eleme Junction had to be redesigned to accommodate the Power Station that was not there when the road was contemplated in 2006.
“We are here today to collect the N10bn of that money from the Ministry of Finance, we are also waiting for the balance of N25bn, while the NDDC would remit its own support when its finance improves.
“Sometimes in October last year, there was a presidential directive that we transfer the road to the Ministry of Works and the Minister, Niger Delta Affairs, has commenced talks with his Works counterpart in that regard”
he said.
While appreciating the effort of the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Minister requested that the outstanding sum of N65bn to be released in due course.
He however, acknowledged the support and effort of the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the people of the region.
Speaking at the symbolic Cheque presentation ceremony for the 2021 Sovereign Sukuk Issuance, the Finance Minister, revealed that the event of N250bn disbursement is the 4th in the circles since 2017.
She said the special funding is for the reconstruction, rehabilitation of roads and other key infrastructure as directed by President Buhari.
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