Vice President Yemi Osinbajo assured that Niger Delta people will benefit maximally from the wealth and natural resources of their land.

He said every part of the country mattered to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Highlights:

• Prof Osinbajo spoke yesterday on Bonny Island while inaugurating the construction of the strategic 40-kilometre Bonny-Bodo-Ogoni Road, conceived by the Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s regime.
• The road is to be jointly financed by the Federal Government and the Bonny-based Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company Limited.
• The vice president was accompanied by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; senator representing Rivers Southeast, Senator Magnus Abe and Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside.
• The governor of Cross River, Ben Ayadereceived Prof Osinbajo at the airport with Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Kenneth Kobani.
• The vice president also stated that the new road would create jobs in and around Bonny and Bodo communities
• Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike reiterated that over the years, residents of Bonny were yearning for the construction of the road to link the coastal community with the upland areas of the state. Wike was represented by Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry-Banigo.

Excerpts from Prof Osinbajo’s statement:

• “On my own part, I have toured many Niger Delta communities to tell them about the new vision of the present administration, ably led by President Buhari.”
• “Under the new vision, the people of Niger Delta will benefit maximally from the wealth that comes from their land. Every part of Nigeria matters to us as a government. What this country produces will be enough for all of us, if we manage the resources prudently.”
• “This road will create jobs for engineers, it will create jobs for artisans and it will create jobs for food vendors. The construction of this road will transform a lot of lives in and around Bonny and Bodo communities.”
• “The construction of this road will alleviate the suffering of many travellers to and from Bonny Island.”

Fashola said, “This 40-kilometre Bonny-Bodo Road will have three bridges in between. A 1,000-metre bridge will across Ogbogbo Creek, a 640-metre bridge will be against Nabie Creek, and a 550-metre bridge will be against the Ake Creek.”