Delta State peace, environmental, and justice advocate, Comrade (Dr.) Sheriff Mulade, has called on the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend landmark infrastructural projects to the Niger Delta coastal communities.
He stressed that building viable bridges and roads to link the region’s coastal areas with urban centers would unlock massive economic opportunities, accelerate development, and generate greater revenue for the country.
Mulade’s appeal follows the Federal Government’s recent announcement, through the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, of a ₦3.8 trillion upgrade plan for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State to address structural concerns threatening its viability.
He noted that this comes after ₦21 billion was spent on emergency repairs last year, while recommendations by Julius Berger indicated that replacing the Carter Bridge in Lagos would cost an additional ₦359 billion.
While commending the Lagos bridge upgrade, Mulade urged government to demonstrate fairness by investing in monumental projects in the Niger Delta, whose oil resources will largely fund the initiatives.
“Projects such as the Warri–Gbaramatu–Escravos Bridge, the Forcados–Ogulagha Bridge, and the extension of the Ayakoroma Bridge to Burutu Forcados Terminal would transform coastal communities like Odimodi, Izon-Burutu, Age, and Obotobo.
“These projects would open up the region to unprecedented infrastructural and economic growth,” he said.
The activist, who is also the Ibe Serimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, emphasized that while Lagos enjoys internally generated revenue, about 80 percent of the ₦3.8 trillion budgeted for the Third Mainland Bridge will come from oil revenues sourced from the Niger Delta.
“If such monumental funding can be allocated to Lagos, what then is the fate of Niger Delta communities where oil and gas is flared daily? We have clamoured for a single road to connect Escravos Terminal in Gbaramatu Kingdom, an economically strategic hub, but nothing has been done.
“Burutu, which hosts the Forcados Terminal and one of Nigeria’s earliest seaports, remains neglected. Even in Brass, Bayelsa State had to step in to initiate its own bridge project,” he lamented.
Mulade further alleged that some governors in the region, particularly non-Ijaw leaders, have consistently neglected the development of coastal areas dominated by the Ijaws, leaving the people in poverty and hardship.
“They focus on upland projects to attract investors while abandoning coastal communities, forcing our people to migrate upland for education, healthcare, and business. This is deliberate marginalization,” he declared.
He therefore appealed to President Tinubu to “change the narrative” by investing in coastal infrastructure that would attract investors, create jobs, and unlock untapped opportunities in the blue economy.
“Opening up our coastal communities with viable road and bridge networks is not just a regional demand but a national imperative,” Mulade added.
