The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has advocated for a holistic national development, insisting that development in one part of Nigeria is same as development in other parts of the country.
The Senate President who made the assertion when he played host to a delegation of Niger Delta Ethnic Youths Nationality Forum (NDEYNA), in Abuja on Friday, also revealed that work would soon commence on the portion of the coastal highway in the Niger Delta region.
He was responding to fears expressed by the leader of the group, Jonathan Lokpobiri, that construction of the highway which kicked off from the Lagos axis may be halted after the current administration.
Lokpobiri had alo pointed out the need for better infrastructure such as good road and rail networks to link the Niger Delta region to the rest of the country, adding that the region is the main source of Nigeria’s economy.
He wondered why the rail line constructed by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was terminated at Itakpe in Kogi State.
According to him, the situation has adversely affected the region, leading to loss of lives and properties, and making it difficult for the people to smoothly and safely travel to Abuja.
In the same vein, he urged the Senate President to ensure that abandoned seaports in the region were revived to create jobs, better the economy of the region, and improve the living conditions of the people.
According to him, it didn’t make sense for the country to have its seaports in Lagos only.
Similarly, he revealed that the region would hold the Senate President responsible on the issue of the Maritime University, Oron, which he said is yet to begin operation three years after its establishment by an Act of the National Assembly.
The group further warned of the danger of not wading into the disagreement between the River State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
They said if not ended, it could escalate and affect the country`s economy.
