FG assures of prompt repair of flood-devastated East-West Road

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, says the Federal Government has taken steps to repair the section of the East-West Road washed away by floods.

Sylva gave the assurance on Thursday during an inspection of some failed portions of the highway.

He described the destruction of the road by floods as unbelievable, noting that a permanent and lasting solution must be found.

“The devastation is unbelievable. I have come with a message from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“We have given a directive to the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Niger Delta Ministry to ensure that the repairs of this road are completed expeditiously.

“This flooding happens every year; as we stand here we know that the water is receding but the water will come back in a matter of few months next year.

“We must look for some kind of solution to this problem which has bedevilled us every year.

“We have to work together as a people and leave our political differences; we are not here to campaign, this is not about any campaign.

“This is about Nigeria and the wellbeing of Nigerians and that is why we have come here and the FEC has directly taken steps to ensure this devastation that we see here is ameliorated as quickly as possible,” Sylva said.

The minister also visited some Internally Displaced Persons camps and directed the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to donate relief materials to the flood victims.

Sylva was accompanied on the tour by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote.