ASABA/Nigeria: Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has commenced emergency remedial works on the damaged section of the East-West Road at Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, following a directive by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Oborevwori disclosed the development on Thursday while addressing guests at the ceremony marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary at the Cenotaph in Asaba.
The governor said the intervention followed the collapse of a section of the major highway after what he described as a natural disaster in the area.
“A few days ago, we also witnessed a natural disaster on the East-West Road. I have directed Julius Berger to immediately fix the collapsed portion of the road,” Oborevwori said.
The directive has since moved beyond announcement, with Julius Berger mobilising to the affected location and commencing reconstruction work on the washed-out portion of the highway.
The failed section is at Agbarho, a busy part of the East-West corridor linking major communities and serving as an important route for motorists travelling between Delta and other parts of the Niger Delta.
The road failure followed heavy rainfall and erosion in the area, resulting in significant disruption to vehicular movement and difficulties for commuters and other road users. Reports from the area said motorists were forced to contend with the damaged section as the situation worsened.
The governor’s intervention is expected to facilitate the restoration of traffic movement along the affected stretch and reduce the hardship being experienced by motorists and commuters.
The East-West Road is a Federal Government-owned highway, but Oborevwori said the immediate need to address the situation warranted state intervention through Julius Berger, which is handling major infrastructure projects in Delta State.
The governor’s decision comes against the background of growing concerns over the impact of the damaged section on movement and economic activities along the corridor.
Julius Berger’s mobilisation to the site is expected to provide an immediate response to the road failure while efforts continue to address the underlying infrastructure challenges in the affected area.
Motorists using the Agbarho axis are expected to exercise caution around the construction area as the remedial works progress.
