FG to prioritise completion of Agenebode-North Ibie-Okpella road project

By Deborah Coker

Minister of Niger Delta, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh has pledged to activate work on Agenebode-North Ibie-Okpella road in Edo, which had been on the drawing board for ages.

Momoh, who made the pledge at the 2023 Au-Ukhua cultural carnival, organised by Iviukhua community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo, said the road project would be given priority by the Federal Government.

He assured that the road project would be executed by President Bola Tinubu.

“I am not happy that when you are coming to Agenebode, you have to pass through three different local governments thus making the journey cumbersome, we will address it,” Momoh said.

The minister said that the Niger Delta ministry would henceforth tailor its programmes to impact positively on the lives of the people.

According to him, the 8th edition of the Au-Ukwa carnival is a huge avenue to boost tourism and generate development.

”I promise to always support the carnival which has assumed national and international recognition, because this is a thing of pride to the people of the Niger Delta,” he added.

Momoh said the carnival had attracted visitors from within and outside Nigeria, and allowed the participants to showcase their talents.

“Aside the fact that the carnival brings people together, it also brings the youths together to showcase their talents in several areas, and this helps take away their minds from negative and untoward activities detrimental to the society,” he added.

The minister, who was awarded a certificate as brand ambassador of the carnival, commended the community leaders and the organisers for the efforts to expose the huge talents in the area.

Also, a former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, said he would transform the Au-Ukwa carnival to attract more international attention.

Agba who is aspiring to contest for the governorship election in the state in 2024, said ”when God does it, I will take this Au-Ukwa carnival to greater heights because it has huge potentials.

“Edo Government will promote it further; it is already a national carnival but needs to go to the next level”.

Earlier, the President General of Iviukhua community, Dr Kennedy Izuagbe thanked Momoh and other dignitaries for honouring the community with their presence.

He appreciated the minister for promising to activate the Agenebode-North Ibie-Okpella road project, which would link them to communities in other states in the South South.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that events at the carnival included a 7km Road Race, procession, beauty pageant and other attractive cultural displays.

The annual Au-Ukhua carnival brought together all communities in Afenmai Land. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed