The President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwid, Olorogun Dr. Moses Taiga has called on the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to consider restoring the underutilized Sapele Port with the Nigerian Navy to decongest and reduce the burden on Apapa wharf in Lagos.
Taiga made this call over the weekend while briefing pressmen on issues concerning the Urhobo Nation. He noted that though the Sapele port, which is currently under use by the Nigerian Navy has nine bases out of which the navy is only using one.
“Our Sapele Port that was given to the Navy, which is currently underutilized, should be restored back as a full operating Port. It doesn’t matter if the Navy want to keep the base they are using. So too, is the Warri Port. Government should develop the Okwagbe/Ganagana Port in Ughelli South Local Government,” he said.
In addition, the President-General called on the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to return Uvwie and Okpe lands, which were freely given to the military, but are now being used for private purposes.
“We seek the return of Uvwie and Okpe lands, acquired for military purposes, in the past, but not so utilised, and are being sold by the military to private individuals. We, as a Nation, had presented this matter to the President, HE Muhammadu Buhari, in June 2018, and he made a commitment to return these lands. But nothing has been done till now.”
While thanking the Federal Government for honouring some prominent Urhobo Sons by naming some Railway Stations along the Itakpe/Ajaokuta/Aladja/Warri Corridor after some prominent Urhobo sons, Taiga noted that the Urhobo nation is in dire need of infrastructure.
“The Federal and the Delta State Governments should provide adequate infrastructure to the Urhobo Nation. We need Federal Roads, particularly the East West Road, which has remained uncompleted for over 20 years. The Ughelli/Asaba Road, Benin-Sapele-Warri Road, among others need completion. The road is in a state of deterioration, which has led to needless loss of lives, properties and productive man-hours. A one-hour journey now takes between three to six hours. For the Urhobo people, and other Nigerians plying the road, especially from the Ugbenu, Oghara, Adeje, Elume to PTI Junction, Effurun axis of the Benin-Ughelli Expressway, it has been a harrowing experience.
“The Ughelli/Asaba Road needs to be completed. We generate Gas from Utorogu Plant, perhaps, the largest Gas Plant in Nigeria, yet electricity in the area is comatose! This needs to be redressed,” he added.
On security, he called on government to find a lasting solution to the incessant issue of insecurity and advised that the government should consider legalizing community policing as part of the solution to the security challenges. He noted that security is important for attracting investments that will provide job opportunities for the teeming youths. Without security, there will be no investment or investors, with consequential zero job opportunities for our teaming youths. Our concern for the security situation for the state and country cannot therefore be over emphasized.”
He also called on government to find a solution “to the Herdsmen menace in our communities so that our women can to go to their farms without fear of rape, attacks or being killed. We are also against the selling of our lands to these people for grazing purposes.”