Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone, has mounted a strong challenge to the Federal Government over the distribution of the N3.94 trillion road projects recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), accusing President Bola Tinubu of sidelining the Niger Delta and reinforcing decades of infrastructure neglect despite the region’s immense contribution to the nation’s economy.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, July 3, 2026, PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, commended President Tinubu for prioritising road infrastructure but expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the “grossly shortchanged” allocation of projects to the Niger Delta. According to Igali, of the 26 major road projects approved across 15 states, the only one linked to the South-South is the Benue-Cross River road project valued at N886 billion, leaving the core Niger Delta states without any significant allocation.
“It is indeed troubling and shocking that out of the 26 major projects, covering 15 states, the only one nearest to the South-South is the road connecting Benue State with Cross River State at the sum of N886 billion, with absolutely no allocation for any other road that runs through major parts of the South-South,” Igali said. “For a part of the country that has continually suffered inexplicable infrastructural decay, this state of affairs has resulted in the inability of the citizens of the region to connect by road easily. This is very disturbing and totally unacceptable to the people of the Niger Delta.”
The FEC on Monday, June 29, 2026, approved N3.94 trillion for 25 road projects across 10 states and N286 billion for the procurement of pollution-control, pilot-transfer, and firefighting vessels for the nation’s ports. The approvals covered the N1.832 trillion Mokwa-Tegina-Bida-Lambata Road in Niger State, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession, and 23 other road projects across Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Oyo, and Plateau states. The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had told State House correspondents after the meeting that the approvals were part of the Federal Government’s drive to improve road infrastructure nationwide.
But PANDEF insisted that the distribution failed the test of fairness and reinforced decades of neglect of the Niger Delta. The group argued that it does not augur well that a region responsible for the bulk of Nigeria’s oil and gas wealth was excluded from the list of major infrastructure projects approved by the Federal Government. “The South-South has once again been grossly shortchanged,” the group declared, lamenting that residents across the region still struggle to travel between states because of dilapidated road networks.
Beyond the exclusion from new projects, PANDEF also expressed frustration over the slow pace of work on the East-West Road, describing the highway as “a metaphor for a failed project.” The group noted that the road, which has become a symbol of the region’s infrastructure decay, is still being carried out at a snail’s pace, with no real work being done despite repeated assurances by the Minister of Works of speedy completion.
“Even the East-West Road, which has become a metaphor for a failed project, is still being carried out at a snail’s pace, with no reasonable work going on, despite assurances of speedy completion by the Minister of Works,” Igali said. “This consistent pattern is a sad reminder that all the major ports in the area, including Calabar, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Warri, are virtually abandoned with no plan in place for their rehabilitation, modernisation, or upgrade.”
PANDEF warned that continued neglect of the region could deepen feelings of exclusion and systemic alienation among its people. The group described the situation as a typical demonstration of the infamous inference to “starving the goose that lays the golden egg.” “Undoubtedly, such continued relegation of our people creates feelings of systemic alienation and disenchantment,” Igali said.
The group urged President Tinubu to review the allocation of infrastructure projects and ensure the South-South receives what it described as its fair share, stressing that the region deserves greater federal investment in recognition of its immense contribution to national revenue. Despite its grievances, PANDEF reaffirmed the Niger Delta’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic stability, pledging continued support for increased oil and gas production while expressing hope that the Federal Government would embrace the principles of fairness, equity, and justice in future infrastructure planning.
“The people of the Niger Delta therefore call on Mr President to look into this matter with a view to reversing the situation, bearing in mind that the Niger Delta region is the revenue base of the country,” Igali said. “Finally, PANDEF would like to seize the opportunity to reassure the Federal Government that the people of the Niger Delta will continue to create the right enabling environment for enhanced contribution to national economic development and growth, especially through increased oil and gas production.”
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