The Rivers State All Progressive Congress (APC), on Monday, declared President Muhammadu Buhari as a true son of the Niger Delta region, saying that the President has done for the region what former President Jonathan, had failed to do.

According to a statement issued by the party, the APC Rivers state Chairman Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said the planned clean-up of Ogoni land and the inclusion of Calabar–Lagos rail line and Calabar–Itu road in the 2016 budget was enough to qualify the President as the son of the Niger Delta

He said, “The importance of this singular project towards the general economic enhancement of the region and the country at large cannot be over-emphasised. With the inclusion of the death trap called Calabar – Itu road and other projects of prime benefit to the region in the 2016 budget and the kick-starting of the Ogoni clean-up exercise in the next few days.”

“The Ogoni clean up, which the past administrations including the high corrupt administration of Dr Jonathan though a son of the region wickedly and totally ignored, it will not be out of place therefore if we declare President Muhammadu Buhari as a true friend and son of the Niger Delta region. With this development, all the efforts of Chief Wike to frustrate this exercise now amounts to noting.”

Ikanya listed out several other projects planned for the region by the federal government.

They include N60 billion for the Calabar – Lagos rail line and N6.6 billion to rehabilitate the Calabar – Itu Federal Highway, in addition to the following major projects in the South-South: the rehabilitation of Odukpani – Itu – Ikot Ekpene road in Cross River/Akwa Ibom states (N6 billion); construction and installation of 10km of 33KV line and associated 2x15MVA 33/11KV sub-station at Ibuzor, Delta State (N360 million).

Mazi Emeka