Eradiri Faults Donald Duke Over Niger Delta Terrain

The Media Director of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has challenged former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, over his feedback on the issue of constructing infrastructure within the Niger Delta, arguing that the area’s riverine and swampy terrain could be overcome by way of engineering, ample funding and sustained authorities dedication.

Eradiri, a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and ongoing highway initiatives in Bayelsa State as examples of infrastructure growth in difficult environments.

He stated he had participated within the preliminary clearing and sand-filling work on the coastal freeway alongside the Lekki-Epe axis, including that related engineering approaches may very well be utilized to the Niger Delta.

“All over the world, engineering backed with serious governance has conquered terrains worse than the ones in the Niger Delta to build critical infrastructure. We cannot see why the Niger Delta case should be different,” he stated.

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Eradiri argued that troublesome terrain shouldn’t mechanically forestall infrastructure initiatives however ought to as a substitute require acceptable engineering strategies, cautious planning and enough funding.

He cited highway building in the direction of Brass and Agge in Bayelsa State as examples of efforts to enhance entry to communities separated by creeks, rivers and wetlands.

He additionally pointed to the federal authorities’s reported intervention in efforts to increase highway infrastructure in the direction of Brass, saying such initiatives might enhance transportation and create higher connections between rural communities and financial centres.

“Bayelsa State can be developed. Right now, if you see what is happening in the state as a result of the increase in allocations to states under President Bola Tinubu’s government because of his courage to remove fuel subsidy, you will understand that the terrain is not an excuse for underdevelopment,” he stated.

Eradiri attributed a few of the ongoing infrastructure growth in Bayelsa to elevated income allocations to state governments following the removing of the gasoline subsidy. He maintained that sustained funding and political dedication had been mandatory to deal with the area’s longstanding infrastructure gaps.

He additionally cited the highway connection to Bonny Island and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as examples of initiatives he believes reveal the potential for establishing infrastructure throughout troublesome terrain.

“How did Tinubu complete a road to Bonny? He did it because of political will. How is Tinubu building the coastal road? He is doing it because he has the political will; the will that the likes of Donald Duke do not have, yet they want people to vote for them,” Eradiri stated.

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The TSG media director criticised Duke’s place, saying the previous governor didn’t adequately respect the progress being made to deal with infrastructure challenges within the Niger Delta.

“I wish to state categorically that the previous Governor Donald Duke lacks understanding concerning the terrain within the Niger Delta.

“It is obvious that while sitting as the governor of one of the Niger Delta states, Donald Duke failed to relate properly with his colleagues to this point where he went on national television to embarrass himself about how his colleagues were tackling the terrain to develop their states.”

Eradiri stated visits to communities the place highway initiatives are underway would supply a clearer image of the engineering challenges and the efforts being made to enhance entry.

He additionally referred to infrastructure growth in Vietnam and California, arguing that have from different components of the world confirmed that troublesome geographical situations may very well be managed with appropriate engineering and efficient governance.

“I have been to Vietnam, and I have seen how leaders have transformed their riverine and swampy terrains. If it can be done in Vietnam, California and other difficult terrains, why should a leader from the Niger Delta seeking votes to become president say it cannot be done in the Niger Delta?” he requested.

While defending the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure document, Eradiri accused Duke of utilizing the area’s growth challenges to criticise the President.

“Duke is trying to whip up sentiment against President Tinubu to deceive voters, but unfortunately for him, the voters know better,” he stated.

He added that the controversy over the Niger Delta’s terrain ought to deal with sensible methods to ship infrastructure somewhat than treating geographical challenges as insurmountable boundaries.