The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Boss Mustapha Tuesday said the deplorable state of Calabar Itu Road has been discussed at the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Mr. Mustapha made this known while addressing a Two-Day Security Summit of the South-south Traditional Rulers Forum in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
NEXT EDITION had published the first part of an investigative report which showed the federal Trunk A 4 highway linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states has totally collapsed.
The report also traced the difficulties encountered by commuters and communities located along the abandoned highway.
But the SGF told the traditional rulers and other leaders of the South-south that the Federal Government will soon carry out remediation work on the road.
“I can attest to the fact that Calabar-Itu road was discussed last week in the Federal Executive Council meeting when the Minister for Works gave a report on the condition of our federal roads. I can assure you that the road will soon receive the necessary remediation,” Mr. Mustapha said.
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The SGF further expressed the willingness of President Muhammadu Buhari to engage traditional institutions in promoting peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
He commended the traditional rulers in the region for ensuring peace prevailed in their domains, noting that the peace in the Niger Delta has positively impacted the nation’s economy.
“I commend the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) for their efforts. Mr President continues to acknowledge the place of the traditional rulers in building peace in the country,” the SGF said.
“The traditional rulers hold the key to the success or failure of the society because they directly relate with the people. The peace of the Niger Delta region is the peace of the entire nation.”
Mr. Mustapha insisted that the government was serious about the war on corruption and called on Nigerians to live above board.
Continuing, he said, “The ICPC through my office, recently organized a summit on nipping corruption. Government is determined to wrestle corruption, especially concerning constituency projects which is funded by the federal government. Traditional rulers must be aware of the locations of the projects.
“We have allowed suspicion to dominate our thinking because of religion and ethnicity. This should not be the case.
“Let us shun the primordial sentiments capable of destroying us as a people. I am impressed with the manner the NCTRN is taking up security concerns. This is just one of the rotational summits on the issue. I assure you that my office will keep working with the NCTRN.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, Nteyin Solomon Etuk had said a peaceful and healthy South-south region is needed for the economic wellbeing of Nigeria.
He described as apt, the theme of the summit, “Creating Synergy with the Governments of the South-south States towards ensuring a peaceful and Crime-free South-south zone.”
The monarch, who is also the Oku Ibom Ibibio (Patriarch of Ibibio people worldwide) also called on policymakers to adopt programmes that would ensure improved security in the region.
“A peaceful and healthy South-south geopolitical region is germane to Nigeria’s economic wellbeing. It is therefore of great importance to work towards guaranteeing a crime-free South-south region through improved security network as well as good policies and programmes that meet the needs of the people.”
The summit which was attended by monarchs across the region was chaired by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and was declared open by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.
