The Egbema Youth Council (EYC) has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently accelerate its internal administrative processes to ensure the immediate commencement and completion of the abandoned Udo-Ofunama road project.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by the President of the council, Barr. Amatelemowei A. Sode; the General Secretary, Mr. Erin-Ebimi Gift; and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Famous Ugure.
According to the council, several communities within Egbema Kingdom have continued to express deep concern over the prolonged abandonment of the road project, stressing that its completion is long overdue.
The EYC described the Udo-Ofunama road as more than just a transportation route, noting that it serves as a vital link to economic survival and regional growth for many communities in the area.
“For many communities in Egbema Kingdom, the Udo-Ofunama road is not merely a transportation route but a pathway to economic survival and regional development,” the statement read.
The council explained that the road connects several communities and serves as a critical access corridor for residents who depend on land transportation for commerce, education, and healthcare services.
It added that farmers rely heavily on the road to transport agricultural produce to markets, traders use it to move goods, while students and workers depend on it for daily movement to schools and workplaces.
The youth council further lamented the poor state of the road, saying it has made transportation extremely difficult, particularly during the rainy season when large sections become flooded and muddy.
According to the statement, the condition often makes it almost impossible for vehicles to pass through, leaving residents stranded and disrupting economic activities.
The council also noted that motorcyclists, who often provide the only available means of transportation in many rural communities, face serious challenges navigating the deteriorated route.
During the dry season, it said, the road becomes excessively dusty and is riddled with potholes, slowing movement and increasing transportation costs for both residents and traders.
The EYC reminded the NDDC of its mandate to address infrastructural deficits in oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta, urging the commission to prioritize the completion of the project.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission was established to address the infrastructural challenges faced by oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta region. This is why we have repeatedly emphasized the need for the completion of the abandoned Udo-Ofunama road, as it will significantly improve economic activities and social mobility across the area,” the statement added.
The council maintained that the road project is a crucial step toward closing the long-standing infrastructural gap that has affected communities in the Niger Delta.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to continuously advocate for development projects that will improve the welfare and living conditions of the people of Egbema Kingdom.
Egbema Youth Council Urges NDDC to Expedite Completion of Abandoned Udo-Ofunama Road
