Failed Infrastructure In N-Delta: I’m Under Pressure Back Home – Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, SAN on Saturday publicly lamented the state of failed Federal infrastructure including roads and other utilities in Niger Delta region, noting that he, as a member of the Federal Executive Council, is “presently under severe pressure back home”.

Keyamo, who doubles as the traditional chieftaincy holder of Omorokaro of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta State, bared his mind while speaking at a grand reception held in his honour by the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Majesty Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I.

The reception which featured cultural displays, breaking of kolanuts, musical interlude and presentation of gifts, among others, was graced by creme de la creme of the society including top executives of the Aviation industry and other Federal Government agencies.

The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Majesty Abe I, who is also the Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Forum, in his welcome address on the occasion reeled out the catalogue of failed infrastructures in Niger Delta, particularly the Warri-Benin highway which, according to him, is presently a death trap.

ALSO READ: Delta Court Convicts, Sentences Olise Ashiwe For Illegal Possession Of Firearms

He said, “The poor condition of Warri-Effurun-Sapele-Benin Road and Orerokpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor Roads have become an embarrassment to the people of Niger Delta particularly during the rainy season. These, we understand, are Federal Roads. The Effurun-Warri-Sapele Road, constructed in the late sixties has not seen any development over the years”.

The traditional ruler also called for the revitalisation and upgrade of Osubi Airport in Delta “to a world class Airport”.

“All we are demanding for is the total take-over of the Osubi Airport; settlement of backlog of salaries; payment of contractual agreements; adequate equipments for flawless flights at day and nights; new runway and expansions to accommodate bigger aircrafts, and upgrading to international standard”, the monarch stated

He added, “Also, the Honourable Minister should intervene and put immediate stop to using part of the Osubi Airport as football pitch. This is security risk to passengers. We want a world class Airport”.

Speaking further, the traditional ruler raised the alarm over the present State of the Ports in Warri, Sapele and Koko in Delta State and appealed to the Federal Government to revitalize the ports without further delay submitting that “this will decongest the Lagos Ports, facilitate commerce and industry in the Niger Delta, create jobs and bring back the old glory of the Warri Province”.

In the same vein, the monarch demanded the release and reversion of lands in Uvwie Kingdom acquired by the Federal Government for failed public purposes, noting with concern that most of such lands, “particularly the ones acquired for the Nigerian Army’s use as Barracks are now being sold to private developers and homeowners through sales, alienation lease to individuals and corporate bodies at huge sums of money through unknown intermediaries”.

Keyamo, while responding to the avalanche of demands, promised to deliver the message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring that the Government would take positive measures without much delay.