(DDM) – A leading Niger Delta activist, Sheriff Mulade, has called on the federal government to extend major infrastructure projects to the oil-rich coastal communities of the South-South, warning that continued neglect will deepen inequality and resentment.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Mulade’s appeal followed the recent announcement by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that the federal government had approved a N3.8 trillion investment for the reconstruction and expansion of Lagos’ iconic Third Mainland Bridge.
While welcoming the Lagos project as a critical step in easing congestion and boosting the nation’s commercial hub, Mulade lamented that similar attention has not been given to communities that generate the oil revenues funding such projects.
Neglected bridges and critical roads
The activist listed several key infrastructural projects that have been abandoned or ignored for years despite their economic importance. These include the Warri-Gbaramatu-Escravos coastal road, the Forcados-Ogulagha bridge, and the Ayakoroma-Burutu road.
According to him, completing these projects would not only open up Niger Delta’s riverine settlements to trade and tourism but also improve security, create jobs, and reduce the long-standing sense of marginalization among indigenes.
Mulade noted that the Niger Delta contributes the bulk of Nigeria’s oil revenues but continues to battle poor infrastructure, flooding, unemployment, and environmental degradation.
A call to President Tinubu
Mulade directly appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the coastal communities are not sidelined in federal plans. He argued that prioritizing the Niger Delta in road and bridge construction would send a strong signal of inclusivity and fairness.
“Oil wealth that sustains the country comes from our lands and waters,” he said, “yet our people still travel on dangerous wooden boats while other regions enjoy modern highways and flyovers. This is injustice.”
Background: Niger Delta’s historical struggle
For decades, Niger Delta communities have protested neglect and exploitation, often pointing to oil multinationals’ operations that destroy farmlands and rivers without corresponding investments in development.
Successive governments have promised infrastructure to the region, but activists argue that implementation has been slow and selective. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), created to address these disparities, has itself faced allegations of corruption and underperformance.
Mulade warned that without visible federal action, the sense of exclusion could undermine national stability and economic growth.
A demand for equal treatment
Civil society groups in the Niger Delta have backed Mulade’s position, stressing that Lagos alone should not be the face of federal development.
They argue that true national growth must include investment in every region, especially the oil-bearing communities sustaining Nigeria’s economy.
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