Members of the Niger Delta Activists Forum have threatened to block the Calabar-Itu federal highway in 30 days if the Federal Government continues to delay its reconstruction.
The forum frowned at the government’s continued explanation that they have no money to prosecute the repairs of the road which has been in a terrible state of disrepair for over 10 years.
National President of the forum, Success Jack also expressed displeasure that the government has not only delayed commencement of the work but has also delayed payment of compensations to individuals and families whose lands and other properties were demolished to give way for the reconstruction work on the highway.
“We are giving the authorities 30 days to begin the reconstruction work in earnest otherwise we will be forced to shut down all activities on the highway.
“However, we shall review the situation in the next thirty days to see if it is pertinent if nothing is done,” he said.
Jack said they were disappointed by the fact that while other projects across the country were being well-funded and progressed, this one has virtually remained unattended to with huge economic loss to the people of Cross River State, the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria at large.
“Contractors need to be cash-backed to fast track their jobs and open a new leaf in the social and economic life of our people,” he added.
He said the apprehension of the people was growing by the day and communities are getting agitated, and businesses were increasingly being unsettled, security of lives and properties were at stake.
Jack called on the president not to fail the people but use the deplorable situation to write his name in gold.
“The paucity of funds complained by the Federal Government should not be said, only when it comes to critical projects of national importance within the Niger Delta region,” he said.
