Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has faulted former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, over his criticism of the Federal Government’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing his position as inconsistent with the development realities of the Niger Delta.
Duke had described the 750-kilometre coastal highway, which traverses nine states, including Bayelsa, as impracticable because of the region’s swampy terrain.
The former governor argued that constructing the highway through Bayelsa would be particularly challenging, noting that even Yenagoa, the state capital, sits on swampy terrain and would require numerous bridges to navigate the landscape.
Responding in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri expressed disappointment that a former governor from the South-South region would criticise the project on what he described as political considerations rather than facts.
Diri maintained that Duke’s comments did not reflect the development strides recorded in Bayelsa, where his administration has constructed roads and bridges across swamps and mangrove forests.
The governor cited the Nembe-Brass Road, Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge Road and Yenagoa-Oporoma Road as examples of major road projects constructed across difficult terrain in the state’s three senatorial districts.
He also referenced the 630-metre bridge across River Nun at Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, as well as the dualised roads in New Yenagoa City and the Glory Drive Phase One, Two and Three projects.
Diri said the coastal highway was critical to unlocking development in states and riverine communities along its route.
He added that the project was particularly important to the Ijaw people, noting that the Ijaw National Congress had advocated its construction since its establishment in the 1990s.
According to the governor, successive administrations at the federal level had received the request, but it was the administration of President Bola Tinubu that eventually embarked on the project.
Diri also explained that the interest of the Ijaw people was among the considerations behind his decision to join the All Progressives Congress.
The Governor cautioned politicians against politicising development projects during election seasons, saying the consequences could ultimately affect the same citizens whose votes they seek.
Editor..Roluke Ogundele
