The government criticised the entitlement mentality of some youths who believe the region’s oil production gives them the right to harass contractors and demand money.
By Dennis Naku
The Federal Government has warned youths in the Niger Delta region to refrain from disrupting ongoing road projects in the area.
The government criticised the entitlement mentality of some youths who believe the region’s oil production gives them the right to harass contractors and demand money.
It emphasised that such behaviour does not occur in other parts of the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Olufunsho Adebiyi, issued the warning while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of federal road projects in Rivers State on Friday.
Adebiyi noted that the budget allocation for the six geo-political zones is nearly equal, but said, “The challenge is that what N10 can achieve in the North-West might only achieve one per cent of the same in the South-South.
“Additionally, the traffic volume on roads varies. For instance, the traffic volume on this road requires significant diversion and traffic control measures to facilitate construction work.”
He appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to adopt a different mindset, saying, “This entitlement mentality that ‘it’s our oil money,’ which leads to placing demands on contractors, leaves insufficient funds for the actual project. This mindset is wrong. The nation operates a single treasury system. It’s like growing up in a village where everyone eats from the same pot.
“If you stop your contractor in the South-South from working, you leave resources for contractors in other zones. It’s necessary to change this mindset and encourage contractors to perform.”
Adebiyi also shared his experiences inspecting road projects in other regions, saying, “When I visit the North-East, North-West, or North-Central, do you know how they welcome me? They prepare rural denunu (a local drink) for me.”
He urged truck drivers using the East-West Road and local residents to stop damaging road pavements, citing poor maintenance practices such as spilling diesel, engine oil, and using pavements for drying food items.
On the Port Harcourt-Enugu Highway, Adebiyi stated that four contractors are handling the project to expedite its completion. He praised the completed sections, particularly on the Aba side, while calling on residents to maintain the roads. “In Port Harcourt, completed sections have become like dustbins, with waste piling up,” he lamented.
Adebiyi expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the Bodo-Bonny Road but urged contractors to increase their pace, emphasising that the project must be completed by the end of the year.
“For your information, this project must be commissioned this year at all costs,” he declared. “Anyone who stands in our way will be dealt with. Mr President is passionate about this project, and it must be delivered by December at the latest.”
He added, “We are not joking. This project and several others have come to stay.”