'We Have Been Short-Changed' — PANDEF Faults N3.9tn Road Projects Excluding Niger Delta

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has criticised the exclusion of the Niger Delta from the Federal Government's recently approved ₦3.9 trillion road infrastructure projects, describing the development as unfair to the oil-producing region.

The regional socio-political organisation urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the list of approved projects to ensure the Niger Delta receives what it described as its fair share of federal infrastructure investment.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved road projects valued at about ₦3.9 trillion across 15 states, but PANDEF said the South-South was largely left out despite its critical role in generating national revenue.

In a statement issued on behalf of the organisation, PANDEF National Leader, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, said the omission amounts to another instance of neglect of the Niger Delta.

"The Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have noted the outcome of the recent Federal Executive Council meeting held on Monday, June 29, 2026, during which government officials announced the approval of about ₦3.9 trillion for road infrastructure projects across the country," he said.

While commending President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council for prioritising infrastructure development, Igali argued that the distribution of projects failed to reflect fairness and equity.

"While commending His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his cabinet on this commitment towards the physical infrastructure of the country, we in the South-South lament the fact that our region has again been grossly short-changed with a very insignificant allocation of projects from this humongous sum."

According to him, the only project with any proximity to the Niger Delta is the ₦86 billion road linking Benue State and Cross River State, with no major road projects approved for other parts of the South-South.

"It is indeed troubling and shocking that out of the 26 major projects covering 15 states, the only one nearest to the South-South is the road connecting Benue State with Cross River State at the cost of ₦86 billion, with absolutely no allocation for any other road that runs through major parts of the South-South."

PANDEF said the lack of investment has continued to isolate communities across the Niger Delta and undermine economic development.

"For a part of the country that has continually suffered inexplicable infrastructural decay, this state of affairs has resulted in the inability of the citizens of the region to easily connect with each other by road. This is very disturbing and totally unacceptable to the people of the Niger Delta."

The organisation appealed to President Tinubu to intervene and correct what it described as an imbalance in federal infrastructure allocation.

"The people of the Niger Delta therefore call on Mr President to look into this matter with a view to reversing the situation, bearing in mind that the Niger Delta region is the revenue base of the country."

PANDEF also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on the long-delayed East-West Road, saying the project has become symbolic of the region's neglect.

According to the group, despite repeated assurances from the Federal Ministry of Works, construction has remained slow.

"The East-West Road has become a metaphor for a failed project with no reasonable work going on, despite assurances by the Minister of Works of speedy completion."

The organisation further criticised what it described as the neglect of key maritime infrastructure in the South-South, including the ports in Calabar, Onne, Port Harcourt and Warri.

"This consistent pattern is a sad reminder that all the major ports in the area, to wit, Calabar, Onne, Port Harcourt and Warri are virtually abandoned, with no plan in place for their rehabilitation, modernisation or upgrade."

PANDEF warned that continued exclusion from major federal projects could deepen feelings of marginalisation in the region.

"The above situation is a typical demonstration of the infamous inference to 'starving the goose that lays the golden egg.' Undoubtedly, such continued relegation of our people creates feelings of systemic alienation and disenchantment."

Despite its concerns, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria's economic development through sustained oil and gas production.

It said it expects the Federal Government to reciprocate by ensuring the Niger Delta receives equitable treatment in national development planning.

"The people of the Niger Delta will continue to create the right enabling environment for enhanced contribution to national economic development and growth, especially through increased oil and gas production. We therefore look forward to being treated with greater fairness, equity and justice."