…calls on FG to Urgently fix East West, Benin Auchi and Calabar Itu Roads
…urges FG to immortalise Solomon Arase
The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has expressed great worry over the unfortunate abandonment of the only railway line leading from the Niger Delta to Itakpe in Kogi state and called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently fix the railway line leading from Ujevwu, Delta state to Itakpe in Kogi state. It noted that similar projects, such as the Abuja Kaduna Railway line, which broke down about the same time, had long been attended to and fixed as if Niger Delta does not matter in Nigeria.
In a communique signed by Amb. Godknows Igali, PANDEF National Chairman, Prof Alfred Ehigiegba, Edo state PANDEF Chairman and Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF National Publicity Secretary at the end of an enlarged National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of PANDEF held in Benin City on the 4th of October 2025, PANDEF called on the federal government to immortalise late IGP Solomon Arase including naming a major national monument in his honour in view of his invaluable contributions to National Unity and Development.
The PANDEF communique also thanked President Bola Amed Tinubu, as well as Gov Siminalaye Fubara and all other leaders who played various roles in restoring Democratic institutions in Rivers State.
PANDEF however decried the collapse of the federal roads in Niger Delta, particularly the East West Road which remains largely uncompleted, mostly the Benin Warri section as well as the deplorable state of the Benin Auchi road and the Calabar Itu road among others.
PANDEF expressed great worry over the unfortunate abandonment of the only railway line leading from Ujevwu, Delta state to Itakpe in Kogi state while similar project, such as the Abuja Kaduna Railway line, which broke down about the same time, had long been attended to and fixed as if Niger Delta does not matter in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the PANDEF Communique called on the federal government of Nigeria to as a matter of economic upliftment resulting in the increase in the per capital income of the people of Niger Delta, to urgently ensure the restoration of all the sea ports in South South Geopolitical zone situated in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, Sapele, Burutu, and koko.
Below is a full text of the PANDEF Communique:
COMMUNIQUE OF PAN NIGER DELTA FORUM (PANDEF)
1. An enlarged National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of Pandef was held in Benin City, this day the 4th of October 2025. Also in attendance were the Edo state chapter executive committee members led by the chapter chairman, Prof Alfred Ehigiegba, and the state chapter chairmen of Akwa Ibom state, Bayelsa state, Delta state and Rivers state. The meeting was presided over by the National Chairman, Amb Godknows Igali OON. The meeting deliberated on several issues affecting the Niger Delta Region, the nation, and resolved as follows
1. In view of the invaluable contributions of the late Rtd IGP, Dr Solomon Arase to National Unity and Development, the federal government of Nigeria is hereby called upon as a matter of importance to immortalise him including naming a major national monument in his honour.
2. Pandef thanks His Excellency, President Bola Amed Tinubu GCFR, as well as Gov Siminalaye Fubara and all other leaders who played various roles in restoring Democratic institutions in Rivers State.
3. Pandef express great worry over the collapse of the federal roads in Niger Delta, particularly the East West Road which remains largely uncompleted, mostly the Benin Warri section as well as the deplorable state of the Benin Auchi road and the Calabar Itu road among others.
4. Pandef decries the unfortunate abandonment of the only railway line leading from Ujevwu, Delta state to Itakpe in Kogi state while similar project, such as the Abuja Kaduna Railway line, which broke down about the same time, had long been attended to and fixed as if Niger Delta does not matter in Nigeria.
5. As a matter of economic upliftment resulting into increase in the per capital income of the people of Niger Delta, the federal government is hereby called upon to urgently ensure the restoration of all the sea ports in South South Geopolitical zone situated in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, Sapele, Burutu, and koko.
Done in Benin City, 4th October, 2025
Signed
His Excellency Dr. Godknows Igali OON
(National Chairman)
Prof Alfred Ehigiegba
(Edo state Chairman)
Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini
(National Publicity Secretary)
