Follow Us on Google
• Says South-South governors insist both projects must proceed
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has rejected any realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway into the East-West Road, disclosing that he told the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that reconstructing the existing road must not replace the coastal project.
Diri said South-South governors were unanimous in supporting the coastal highway as a separate project, insisting that the Federal Government must proceed with it while rehabilitating the East-West Road.
The governor also attacked former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, over his criticism of the coastal highway’s feasibility, questioning his presidential ambition and record in office.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri spoke on Wednesday during the 200th session of the Bayelsa State Executive Council at Government House, Yenagoa.
Recounting his disagreement with Umahi, the governor said he called the minister after reading reports that the coastal highway would be realigned and merged with the East-West Road.
“I privately called the Minister of Works and said, ‘Honourable Minister, that is a no, no, no for us. These are two different projects.’
“I agree with you that the East-West Road should be reconstructed. It is called the East-West Road, but its reconstruction should not take the place of the coastal road.
“While you reconstruct the East-West Road, the coastal road must continue because you have already won the hearts of all the coastal states.”
Diri said he made it clear that his position reflected the collective stance of governors in the region.
“I told him that, for me and my state, the coastal road must continue. He kept mentioning Mr President’s name, and I felt that he was the implementer and was the one who addressed the media.
Other News
“So, go back and tell Mr President that this is the position of the governors of the South-South, because I also speak as chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum.”
Turning to Duke’s comments during a television programme, Diri said his objection was particularly to the use of Bayelsa’s swampy terrain as a reason the highway could not be built.
“When I watched the video and listened to everything he said about the coastal road, what actually made me respond was the example he gave using my state, Bayelsa.
“He said the coastal road was not feasible, and his reason was that even the state capital of Bayelsa is a swamp. According to him, for the coastal road to pass through Bayelsa, 100 to 200 bridges would have to be constructed.”
The governor described Duke as a “jester” and a “pretender,” arguing that his presidential ambition on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) lacked a political base.
“You pretend to be a presidential candidate of PRP. There is not even a councillor from PRP in Cross River. Not even in your own ward. Yet, you pretend to be a presidential candidate so that at the end of the day you can be rehabilitated.
“You can continue to be your national and international champion without a nucleus, without a base.”
Diri also criticised Duke’s record as governor, alleging that the Tinapa project had burdened successive Cross River administrations with debt.
“Above all, Donald Duke, you embarked on a white elephant called Tinapa. You took loans and incurred debts that you placed a huge burden on the people of Cross River State and every governor and government that succeeded you,” he said.
He further accused Duke of failing to act when the Bakassi Peninsula was ceded to Cameroon, insisting that Bayelsa should not be portrayed as a state where roads could not be constructed.
“Do not use Bayelsa State as an example of a place where roads cannot be built. You were in office when Bakassi was ceded out of Nigeria. But because you were not a local champion, you did nothing about it,” Diri said.
