Youths debunks Ministers claim On Abraka-Oben road
Tracy Ohovwore, Benin City
The Augusta Youths for Development Change (UYDC) of the Orhionmwon local government area of Delta state protested over the non-existing Abraka-Oben Road, which the Minister for Regional Development, Hon. Eng. Abubakar Momoh, claimed to have commissioned.
The youths took to the floor of the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo state Council for a peaceful protest, demanding an explanation concerning the falsely commissioned road. The protesters claimed that it was a calculated attempt to cover up the negligence of repairing the road.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Coordinator, Comrade Monday Osabheku-Omazenoghadue Osemwenkhae, noted, “For emphasis, Oben oil field houses the highest gas deposit in West Africa, which the Ministry of Regional Development is supposed to handle the development of its environs with keen gloves.
“But what we have just gotten is a commissioning of a none existing road with our community name attached to divert attention from the neglect of the roads in that area.
“The link roads to Oben are the Ugo-Obozogbe -Iguelaba road, and Umoghun-Nokhua Oben road. The former is currently undergoing construction courtesy of community fund and private company. The name ‘Oben’ is being used as a cash cow for many years, and we expect the present Nigeria government of president Ahmed Bola Tinubu to change the narrative, rather than her minister commissioning a none existing road — using our community name.
“We therefore wish to tell the world that the road is in their imagination, none existing and has no bearing with our community.”
However, the Minister, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, responded that the road he commissioned is from the Delta State end, Abraka to Oben, and not from Benin to Oben.
“They should go through Abraka to Oben. We didn’t say from Benin to Oben, we said Abraka to Oben, that is, from the Delta end, so, they should get it clear.
“You can now move from Oben to Abraka without stress. The Ministry did the one from Benin to up to 20 kilometers before.
“The other one, they are taking off, from Abraka to Benin, the first phase has been completed, it’s a 10-kilometer road, Abraka to Oben, not Benin to Abraka,” Momoh explained.
