By our reporter
In the heart of Nigeria’s Niger Delta, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Delta State, a region historically marred by challenging terrain and infrastructural neglect, is witnessing an unprecedented wave of road development.
This transformation is not just reshaping the physical landscape but also revamping the socio-economic dynamics of the state. From bustling urban centres of Warri, Ughelli, Effurun, Kwale, and Asaba, to remote rural communities, Oviri-Okpe, Adagbrasa, Isheagu, Ewu, Beneku, and others, new roads are stitching together the fabric of Delta State, fostering connectivity, enhancing trade, and improving the quality of life for its residents.
At the forefront of this initiative is a comprehensive plan by Governor Sherriff Oborevwori to upgrade hundreds of kilometers of roads, incorporating advanced engineering techniques suited to the region’s unique environmental challenges.
This ambitious endeavour, driven by commitments, is aimed at addressing long-standing issues of accessibility, safety, and economic stagnation.
Through the eyes of local businesses, community leaders, and everyday commuters, this feature delves into the far-reaching impacts of road development projects. It explores the challenges encountered, the milestones achieved, and the transformative potential these roads hold for the future of Delta State.
No fewer than 25 major critical road projects are currently under construction in different parts of the state since Governor Oborevwori mounted the saddle of leadership, some of these projects will be commissioned before the May 29 first anniversary celebration, while others will be unveiled at various times as stipulated in the contract agreements.
These include the Ohore/Adagbrasa Road, off the Benin-Warri road that links the Eku-Effurun expressway; Okan junction to Agbaro Road, linking the East-West Road; the dualisation of Orerokpe township road; and the Ring Road project in Ughelli, which cuts off the busy Otovwodo road to link the Port-Harcourt end of the East-West Road.
Others include the Stadium link road in Ughelli which connects commuters coming from Port Harcourt to the Asaba Road; the Uti Road project in Effurun; Erejuwa Road in Warri; Gbeneku Bridge in Ndokwa-East LGA; the trans-Ode Warri Bridge linking Ode-Warri in Warri South LGA; Udu Market Road reconstruction in Udu LGA; the Isheagu-Ewulu road, the Igbuzo/Okpanam bypass, and bridge in Aniocha-South LGA; Section C of the Ughelli-Asaba expressway.
They also include the Orere Bridge, in Ughelli-South LGA; the Emevor/Orogun Road; and the massive Julius Berger mega projects which include road expansion and improvement works between Effurun and DSC roundabouts; PTI Junction flyover; DSC Roundabout flyover; Enerhen junction/Marine Gate flyover and Cloverleaf at Effurun roundabout.
The impact of this massive road upgrade cannot be overstated; it extends far beyond mere convenience for commuters. For farmers in rural areas, improved access means easier transportation of goods to markets, resulting in increased income and better livelihoods. For small business owners along major thoroughfares, bustling trade corridors have provided opportunities for growth and expansion that were once unimaginable.
*Elated Deltans react to road infrastructure upgrades
At the site of the ongoing construction work of the PTI junction flyover, Assistant Secretary of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NUTRW), an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Alan Etowhe, said activities around the construction areas had not stopped since the groundbreaking ceremony was done by the Governor a few months ago.
Etowhe noted that when completed, the flyover and road expansion would ease traffic congestion around the axis that had hampered the free flow of movement over the years.
He observed that despite the gravity of the ongoing road expansion projects around the axis, construction giant, Julius Berger, ensured that traffic flowed without hindrances.
He said, “As you can see, the work is going on, but the traffic is flowing with any congestion. They (Julius Berger) are doing the best they can, but we are just begging them to double their efforts so that within one or two years they can complete the project. When they complete the project, we will see meaningful development in the LGA.
“On completion, it will reduce traffic congestion that had been the hallmark of the road for several years and also reduce accidents with port holes that lead to dead traps and untimely deaths. We want to commend the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his effort of bringing Julius Berger, for the first time to Delta State, which is a plus. For the first time since 1999, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has become a record breaker by bringing Julius Berger to carry out this important project, may God bless him and give him the strength to do more.”
Also, a transporter from Okpe LGA, who identified himself as Eferakeya Ogheneruemu, said the PTI junction upgrade and others along the NPA-DSC expressway will put an end to the nightmare faced by commuters along the route, especially inter-state transporters from Lagos to Port Harcourt and other parts of the South-South region.
“Yes, it is going to bring a lot of benefits. Traffic congestion along this route will become a thing of the past. Before now, vehicles trying to navigate the East-West road from Lagos or Port Harcourt normally face the traffic here. Besides, it is going to bring a lot of social, and economic development to this area in particular.”
A resident of the Ebrumede community, around the DSC roundabout axis, Sunny Salami, expressed optimism that the road expansion project around the axis will ignite fresh developments.
He said, “For what is happening right now, I think it is a very good thing and it will be of great benefit, not for only people around here, but for road users because with this expansion alone, there will be no traffic jam here again. Traffic will flow normally as we have in Lagos and other cities.”
“Over the years, we have had governors that have come from this area, we have had Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chief James Ibori, but they never embarked on this kind of project. But this our incumbent governor, Sherriff Oborevwori, wants great development to come to Warri and environs, and that is what I feel.”
In Orerokpe, headquarters of Okpe LGA, where the major road into the town is being dualised, residents of the ancient settlement, commended the governor for the steps taken so far in infrastructure development.
An octogenarian community leader, Deacon David Affe, commended the governor for the developmental strides in nearly one year in office.
He said, “Initially, we thought that the dualisation project doesn’t matter because it is only a street road, but from what we are seeing now, if the development continues, it will make Sapele, Aragba, Orerokpe, Ughelli road to be true, and this will cut off a lot of unnecessary journey through Effurun.
“In other words, another link road to cut off Effurun, and it’s turning out to be a very good project. I will say, at first, we had a double mind about the governor, but as it is now, he is doing a lot for us. We just have to associate with him. I am personally thinking of sending him a letter of appreciation.”
*Governor speaks at various inspections, groundbreaking of the ceremonies
During the inspection of the Okpanam-Ibusa bypass road; Beneku Bridge; Emevor-Orogun Road; Orere Bridge and Model Technical College, Orerokpe, Governor Oborevwori said the government was connecting communities with roads and bridges for the sustainable development of the state.
The Governor who emphasised project continuity for sustainable development, said it was a fulfillment of his pledge to complete existing projects while also initiating new ones.
Oborevwori said, “The Okpanam-Ibusa bypass is a road that is very key to connect from the Benin/Asaba highway to Ibusa, to give access to the people around that area.
“Hopefully, it will be commissioned within my one year in office. The good thing is that they have gone very far. That erosion is something that will not affect the construction of the road but will certainly affect it in the future.”
On the Beneku Bridge, Oborevwori said it was very important because the people of Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East have been using pontoon to carry vehicles across; even bikes were carried with pontoon and paddle canoes.
On the 4.5km Emevor-Orogun road phase, the governor commended the contractor for the quality of work done assuring that the project would be completed in no distant time.
At Orere Bridge, Oborevwori commended the contractor, Obakpor Engineering Limited for the quality of work, adding that the bridge and access road would be completed at the end of the year.
The Governor was conducted around the projects by the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads) Comrade Reuben Izeze; Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, and top officials of the various ministries.
Oborevwori said his administration had completed many projects across the three senatorial districts of the state, billed for inauguration as part of activities to mark his first anniversary in office.
He said this while inspecting Edo Road in Ughelli; Emevor-Orogun Road in Isoko North, the bridge across the Obo River at Ogwashi-Uku in sector C 1 of the Ughelli-Asaba Road dualisation, and the 5.3km Okpanam-Ibusa by-pass road in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor, who was conducted around the projects by the Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze, and his counterpart in Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said many projects had been completed and earmarked for the inauguration, adding that he would start inaugurating projects before May 29.
Specifically on Edo Road in Ughelli being constructed by Obakpor Engineering Limited, Governor Oborevwori said: “I was here some weeks ago, and the contractor promised that they were going to finish work on the road by the end of May and that’s why I have come here to inspect what they are doing.
On the 4.4km Emevor-Orogun Road, Governor Oborevwori said, “I am very happy l am here today because a few months ago, l commissioned Enwhe Road phase ll in Isoko South: now, l am in Isoko North. So, there is no local government area that would be left out of our MORE Agenda.
On the deployment of concrete technology in road construction, Governor Oborevwori said the state government was already using the technology on some roads, including the Uduere Road and Edo Road in Ughelli.
On the patronage of local contractors, he said; “sometimes, when you are awarding contracts, you must try the local base to know their level of competence and l am very impressed with the performance of local contractors in the state.
At the bridge across the Obo River in Ogwashi-Uku, the Governor said, “I decided to make a stopover here to ascertain the level of work done so far by the company (CCECC) handling Sector C 1 of the Asaba/Ughelli road dualisation project.
“I am impressed with what the construction company is doing here. They are moving fast and they have assured us that they are going to do a lot before the rains set in.”
On whether the Federal Government would refund money for the construction of the road to the State Government, Governor Oborevwori said, “When we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”
He added, “Even the flyover bridges that we are doing in Warri and Effurun are on federal roads. But any road constructed in Delta State will be used by Deltans and other residents of the state as well as those coming to the state.
“So, any road that we are doing, whether federal or state, as a government, we are doing what we know that will benefit the people, that will make our people not to suffer; their wellbeing is more important to us.
“The construction company is doing its best. The Sector C2 is almost completed. This is Sector C1, the critical aspect of the project is this bridge that you are seeing now. So, this is the most difficult aspect of this road dualisation project.
“I am happy with the work that they have done so far. They are working very well. The project is running on an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order, (ISPO). So, they will not complain that they are not being paid; they get their money every month on ISPO. That will make the work move very fast.”
*N78bn Effurun/Warri flyovers
While performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of three flyovers, cloverleaf, road expansion, and pedestrian bridges in the Effurun and Warri metropolis of the state, Oborevwori said it was a fulfillment of the promise he made to the people of the state during his inauguration on May 29.
He said the projects would ease traffic gridlock and vehicular movements in the affected areas, adding that it would change the face of the twin cities of Effurun and Warri.
The Governor added that the projects would create employment and improve economic activities for engineers, artisans, labourers, food vendors, suppliers, transporters, quarry operators and so many others in the construction value chain.
Oborevwori, said, “We have released the agreed sum as advance payment to the contractor, which on its part commenced surveys, final designs, sub-soil tests, and other activities precedent to the commencement of actual construction works. These are in addition to the establishment of site yards, offices, and life camps.
“The cumulative contract sum for the four projects is N77.997bn only and the contractor has a completion period of 27 months.
“These four strategic projects are aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced between Effurun Roundabout, through PTI Road Junction to DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway at Effurun. They will also ease vehicular movement at the stretch from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri, in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.
“As I said during the contract signing ceremony, these projects will not only change the face of the Warri-Effurun Metropolis, but they will also ease the traffic congestion in the area and alleviate the hardship faced by commuters.
“I urge the contractor to work relentlessly to meet the schedule we have agreed to. The immediate communities and their leaders should appreciate the enormous investment the government is making and join hands with us to ensure the speedy completion of these projects.
“Let me conclude by saying that the projects commencing today underscore our commitment and determination to improve road and transport infrastructure as contained in the MORE Agenda of this administration.
“We shall continue to aggressively upgrade them across the three senatorial districts in the state as this will drive development in other sectors,” Oborevwori said.
Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze lauded Governor Oborevwori for the vision in executing the projects, noting that it was the first time in the history of the state Julius Berger was executing projects for the State Government.
Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Lars Richter, commended the State Government for the vision and insight in investing in the special infrastructure in the twin cities and thanked Oborevwori for finding the company worthy to execute the projects.
He assured that the company will deliver the work on schedule and in line with specifications.
On his part, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, commended Governor Oborevwori for the project and for remembering the Uvwie people, assuring that they would protect the project.
Also speaking, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, represented by Dr Roland Oritsejafor, described the project as a project of unity and pledged the unalloyed support of the people of Warri towards successful completion of the projects.
The chairmen of Uvwie and Warri-South LGAs, Ransom Onoyake, and Michael Tidi, respectively, in their remarks, said the people of the area are happy with the project delivery efforts of Governor Oborevwori and would cooperate with the contractor to ensure prompt delivery.
It would be recalled that the State Executive Council at its inaugural meeting on September 12, approved the contract while the contract signing ceremony was held on October 18, 2023.
