President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that his administration has no intention of moving the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun from its present location.
Briefing a delegation of the Urohobo Progressive Union led by its President General, Patrick Aziza when the union visited President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, said that the East-West road will be completed by December, 2014.
Mr Orubebe said that of the 42 bridges and 1040 culverts that were needed on the road, 36 bridges and 860 culverts had already been completed, while two more bridges will be completed by the middle of next month.
He assured the delegation that President Jonathan has approved a financial plan that will ensure that the East-West road project, which was handed over to his ministry for supervision in 2010, is completed on schedule without further delays.
The ministers of agriculture, solid minerals and transport also briefed the delegation on the provision of improved oil palm and cocoa seedlings to farmers in Urhobo-land, the planned location of a modern cassava processing plant in the area and the planned rehabilitation of ports in Warri, Sapele, Koko and Burutu.
Speaking after the visit to the President, Mr. Aziza said Urhobo elders will join government in prosecuting the war against oil thieves which he described as a crime against the people of the region.
He assured that the traditional institution within the region will do all within its powers to ensure that stealing of oil was discouraged within the region.
“We have given the federal government our full backing to deal with the oil thieves because those involved are criminals and they must be treated like criminals,” he said.
He also promised corporation with security agencies operating within the region in their efforts to tackle militancy and stealing of crude.