South-South governors back Lagos-Calabar coastal highway

The south-south governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states have jointly lauded President Bola Tinubu for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

On completion, the highway will link coastal communities with major commercial hubs across Nigeria.

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri presided over the 12th meeting of South-South governors, also known as the BRACED Commission Governor Council (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta).

The Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa hosted the council meeting on Tuesday, April 30, with a focus on regional development and cooperation.

However, they also emphasized the importance of expediting work on the East-West road.

Obaseki said: “The council also called on the Federal Government to expedite work on the East-West road. We thanked Mr. President, President Bola Tinubu, for commencing the construction of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar and appealed for speedy completion. Work should also commence from the Calabar end.

“In very unequivocal terms, the council condemned the killing of 17 military officers in Okuama and extends condolences to the Commander-in-Chief, the military hierarchy, and especially to the families of the bereaved officers.

“The council called on the Federal Government to properly define the missions of troops deployed to our region.

“Their involvement in communities, boundary disputes, business disputes, or family disputes should not be part of the military’s operational mission.”

The council condemned the killing of soldiers in Delta State’s Okuama community.

They also urged a reconsideration of the role of military forces in resolving conflicts across Delta communities.