The Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial
district, Magnus Abe, has said that the Federal Government has voted $190
million towards the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) on Ogoniland.
Abe disclosed this in Port Harcourt while addressing All
Progressives Congress stalwarts and supporters at the weekend.
The UNEP had in its 2011 report presented to the Federal
Government, recommended that at least $1 billion would be required in the first
five years, which is expected to be completed in three decades.
Abe said: “We (Senate) are still pressing to increase the
budgetary provision to $200 million to enable the project to begin. The amount
was part of this year’s contributions by Shell.”
The senator, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on
Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) disclosed that there were also plans to
expand power projects at Andoni and Oyigbo local council areas of his
senatorial district.
On the completion of the East-West road project, he
explained that he was also working with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to
increase the budgetary provision for the project, which was started by
ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The senator lamented that the contractor handling the
project had complained that the fund was not enough for them to go back to
site.He stressed that the contractor promised to add its funds to complete the
project if they were given a minimum amount.
On Bodo-Bony road project, he said there were chances of its
speedy completion because the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) had promised
to fund it.
By Chijioke Jannah
