The forum which is the apex socio-cultural and political organisation representing the Niger Delta region, said the area received minimal attention in the recent approval of major road projects by the Federal Government.

National Chairman of PANDEF, Godknows Igali, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Igali said PANDEF welcomed the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of about N3.9 trillion for roads infrastructure across the country, describing it as a positive step toward improving national connectivity.

He said, however, the group expressed concern that the South-South was largely excluded from the approved projects, noting that only the Benue-Cross River Road project, valued at N886 billion, was located close to the region.

The national chairman said the absence of major road projects within the South-South was disappointing, considering the longstanding infrastructural challenges facing the zone.

He also urged the Federal Government to accelerate work on the East-West Road, describing the project as critical to economic activities and movement across the Niger Delta area.

Igali further called for the rehabilitation, modernisation and upgrade of key ports in Calabar, Onne, Port Harcourt and Warri to improve economic activities and strengthen the country’s transport network.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to review the allocation of infrastructure projects to ensure greater fairness and equitable distribution, stressing that the Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s oil and gas production and national revenue generation.

Igali reaffirmed the commitment of the people of the Niger Delta to maintaining a peaceful environment that would support increased oil and gas production and contribute to national economic growth.

He expressed hope that the Federal Government would give the zone greater attention in future infrastructure planning.(NAN)