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Akpabio Inaugurates Counterpart Team To Manage N1tn Investment The East-West Road

Published

5 years ago

November 12, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) Senator (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio, CON, has reinstated the commitment of the Ministry to giving adequate consideration to the management of the East-West Road which at completion would be gulped close to One Trillion Naira to ensure that safety, efficiency and economic viability of the road is not compromised and return on investment guaranteed.

The Minister made this disclosure at the inaugural virtual meeting of counterparts on the complementary programme for the East-West the project held on Thursday, November 12th, 2020.

Sen. Akpabio noted that the huge cost of the construction of the Road was due to the nature of the terrain and magnitude of the project. He noted that it was also logical that an investment of this magnitude should elicit further attention for its management beyond just construction.

According to the Hon. Minister, “the Ministry has put together this initiative to rally all counterparts to combine all efforts to providing a befitting management structure for the road corridor. It is based on the clear comprehension that all the States along this corridor have a germane role to play in the planning, development and management of their respective domains and that the actions and inactions of any will ultimately affect the corridor”.

Speaking further, Dr Godswill Akpabio explained that owning to the experience on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other major highways in the country the collective task of the counterpart team is to ensure that the highway corridor is efficient, safe and economical in the short, medium and long term. Therefore, it is critical and compelling that the Ministry urgently and proactively take steps to guarantee the Road corridor to deal with the envisaged challenges of settlement, growth and human activities along the route.

Members of the counterpart team are Mr Olalekan Lana (FMW&H), Engr. I. Y. Danlele (FMW&H) Mrs Ehigie Agalasi (FMT), Chief Arthur Akpowowo Hon. Commissioner, (representative of Govt. of Delta State) Tpl.Benson Diriyai ((ML&HD) representative of Bayelsa State Govt., Barr. Erastus C Awortu jp (representative of River State Govt.), Engr. Ime Sunday Akpan (representative of Govt. of Akwa Ibom State), Mr Patrick Agbe consultant to Cross River State Govt. Engr. Patrick Okereafor (MNDA), Tpl. Olufemi Oloruntola (MNDA), Engr. Osahon Idemudia (MNDA)

In his goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of State, MNDA, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura said that the East-West road corridor will attract the development of human settlement and economic activities towards it when completed and the Ministry under its current leadership is desirous of turning around the fortunes of the Niger Delta Region (NDR) for the better.

He said that complementary programme for the East-West road is one of the many initiatives of this current resolve to elicit partnership for better result.

In his words” the East-West road is our prime asset and our duty is to ensure that we all play our parts creditably in its upkeep and management.” Sen. Alasoadura added.

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, MNDA, Dr Babayo Ardo reiterated that the inaugural meeting aimed at evolving an enduring management approach for the East-West Road Corridor being constructed by the Ministry.

The Road project which is a dual carriage, four laneway, spans about 361km across five States of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross Rivers is designed to function as the regional spine on the East-West axis to provide unimpeded movement of goods, services and passengers.

“The purpose of the programme is to ensure that the right of way is protected and insulated as much as possible from adjoining development and thus provide safety,” he said.

The Director of Housing and Urban Development, MNDA, Engr. Patrick Okereafor, FNSE, in his vote of gratitude said the inauguration of the team is the beginning of a long process of collaboration.

Engr. Okereafor through the Hon. Minister expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in the leadership and management of the Ministry.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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