OKO/Nigeria: Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Friday inaugurated the 4.8-kilometre Oko–Amakom/Oko-Obiokpu/Oko-Anala Road in Oko Kingdom and a network of roads in Asaba, all in Oshimili South Local Government Area, describing the projects as strategic investments aimed at improving transportation, boosting economic activities and enhancing the livelihoods of residents.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the governor said the Oko road project would significantly ease the movement of farm produce from rural communities to urban markets and strengthen economic opportunities for farmers in the area.
Oborevwori recalled that before the construction of the road, residents and farmers in the community faced enormous challenges, especially during the rainy season when the terrain became extremely difficult to navigate.
According to him, the situation forced many farmers to transport their produce through neighbouring Anambra State to access markets, often selling at giveaway prices due to the difficulty of bringing unsold goods back home.
“Today, I am happy that we have completed this road. Farmers can now transport their fresh produce easily to markets, increasing their income and improving their standard of living,” the governor said.
He noted that the strategic importance of the road had informed the approval of Phase Two of the project by the state government at a cost of ₦16.9 billion, with the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Limited, expected to complete the project within 24 months.
The governor, however, expressed confidence that the contractor would deliver the project ahead of schedule.
Oborevwori also highlighted the importance of the Amaechi Agusi and adjoining roads in Asaba, explaining that the area had previously been plagued by severe erosion and flooding which made the roads almost impassable.
He said the newly completed road network, along with the accompanying drainage infrastructure, would improve transportation, support business activities and address the flooding challenges that residents had faced for years.
The governor noted that Delta State was currently witnessing what he described as a “harvest of projects,” with numerous completed and ongoing infrastructure developments across the state.
He listed some of the recently commissioned projects to include the Government Technical College in Omadino as well as new faculty buildings at the University of Delta, Agbor and Southern Delta University, Ozoro.
According to him, several other projects are lined up for commissioning in the coming weeks as the administration continues to implement its development agenda.
Oborevwori reaffirmed that his administration remained focused on delivering projects that directly impact the lives of the people.
“As I always say, we are working. When you come to Delta State, you will see the evidence of what we are doing. Governance is about performance, and the people can see our report card clearly,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, said the Oko road was deliberately constructed above the flood level recorded during the devastating 2012 flood to ensure that the infrastructure remains resilient against future flooding.
He added that residents of the community had already expressed deep appreciation for the project due to its expected impact on transportation and economic activities in the area.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, disclosed that more than 70 kilometres of roads had either been completed or were currently ongoing within the capital territory.
Ukah said about 50 kilometres of roads were executed directly by the agency, alongside over 20 kilometres of drainage works aimed at improving urban infrastructure and addressing flooding challenges.
He also announced that the long-awaited Asagba Road project in Asaba had been approved by the governor and that construction would commence soon.
Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council, Hon. Kelvin Ezenyili, commended the governor for his commitment to infrastructure development, describing the newly commissioned roads as transformational projects that would boost economic growth and improve the lives of residents.
He noted that communities in the area had long struggled with poor access roads which hindered business activities and the transportation of farm produce.
Similarly, the Palace Secretary to the Asagba of Asaba, Chief Patrick Ndili, and the Akor of Oko Kingdom, HRH Osita I, who spoke on behalf of the host communities, expressed deep appreciation to the governor for the projects, describing them as long-awaited interventions that would open up the communities for greater development.
They also assured the governor of the continued support of the people of Oshimili South for his administration.
At the event, Oborevwori also acknowledged the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, noting that the policies had improved the financial capacity of states to undertake more development projects.
The governor further assured that more empowerment programmes targeted at youths and women would soon be rolled out under his administration’s MORE Agenda.
He added that the achievements recorded so far had strengthened public confidence in his administration, expressing optimism that the performance of the government would continue to shape the political landscape of the state in the years ahead.
