Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for commencing the reconstruction of 15.4 kilometres of the failed sections of the Benin-Sapele Expressway.
Oborevwori described the project as a major intervention that would improve connectivity, ease transportation and stimulate economic activities across Delta State and the wider Niger Delta region.
The governor spoke on Friday at the flag-off of the reconstruction project at the Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele.
Represented by Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Oborevwori said the NDDC’s intervention demonstrated the importance of collaboration among government agencies in addressing critical infrastructure challenges.
Aniagwu said the Delta State Government had similarly intervened on several federal roads because the ultimate beneficiaries of such infrastructure were residents, regardless of whether the roads fell under federal or state jurisdiction.
He disclosed that the state government had spent more than N300 billion on federal road corridors in Delta State, including the construction of over five kilometres of rigid-pavement dual carriageway along the Warri axis.
According to him, the state had also constructed bridges and flyovers along key federal routes, including Otovwodo Junction, DSC Roundabout, PTI Junction, Enerhen Roundabout and Uromi Junction in Agbor.
“We don’t differentiate,” Aniagwu said, adding that the government’s priority was to ensure that roads remained motorable and reduced hardship for road users.
He welcomed the NDDC’s intervention on the Benin-Sapele corridor, saying the completed project would improve movement of people and goods and contribute significantly to economic growth in Delta State and other states along the East-West corridor.
The commissioner appealed to residents and other stakeholders to support the contractors and avoid actions that could delay the project.
He also urged residents to desist from vandalising critical infrastructure, citing the recent discovery of damaged components on the First Niger Bridge.
Aniagwu warned that vandalism of bridge components could undermine the structural integrity of the facility and put the lives of road users at risk.
Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, said the commission commenced the reconstruction following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the hardship faced by motorists and commuters using the road.
Ebie said the NDDC was determined to complete the project and restore smooth movement along the strategic corridor.
He described the Benin-Sapele Expressway as a critical national economic route connecting the South-South with other parts of Nigeria.
Ebie also disclosed that the commission had taken steps to terminate and re-award the contract for the Abraka-Obiaruku-Abavo-Agbor Road after difficulties with the previous contractor.
Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC Managing Director, apologised to residents, community leaders and motorists for the hardship caused by the poor condition of the Benin-Sapele road.
He assured them that the intervention would bring relief, explaining that the decision followed President Tinubu’s directive after the President received complaints and saw videos highlighting the deplorable state of the road.
Ogbuku said the NDDC had worked with the Federal Ministry of Works, obtained the relevant project design and secured approval for the site to be handed over to the commission for immediate intervention.
He stressed that the strategic importance of the road made its reconstruction imperative, particularly because it serves as a major route linking the South-West and North with the South-South.
Victor Antai, NDDC Executive Director, Projects, said the reconstruction covers approximately 15.4 kilometres and would be executed using rigid concrete pavement.
He disclosed that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Ronin and Fan Limited had been engaged to execute the project.
Antai said two contractors would work from opposite ends of the road to accelerate construction and ensure early completion.
The Delta State representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Monday Igbuya, commended the commission for approving the reconstruction.
Igbuya appealed to the NDDC to extend its intervention to the Amukpe-Abraka-Agbor Road and the Sapele-Warri Road to further improve road connectivity across the state.
Senator Ede Dafinone and Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu also commended President Tinubu and the NDDC for the intervention, describing the project as important to the movement of people, goods and services across the region.
