EFFURUN/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the Warri–Sapele–Benin Dual Carriageway in Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Areas, describing the project as a symbol of renewed collaboration between the Federal and State Governments for the benefit of Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, Governor Oborevwori said the reconstruction marked “another major step forward in the infrastructure renewal drive of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Delta State Government.”
He noted that the Warri–Sapele–Benin Road remains a critical national asset connecting key cities across the South-South region and providing access to Edo State and other parts of Nigeria. The governor explained that the section being reconstructed covers a dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement, expanded shoulders, and extensive stormwater drainage systems designed to ensure durability and the safety of motorists.
Governor Oborevwori said the initiative exemplified the gains of intergovernmental synergy, stressing that meaningful progress is achieved when both tiers of government work together for the people’s welfare. “Although this road is a federal route, the users are Deltans and Nigerians, and their safety and comfort are what matter most to us,” he added.
He also disclosed that the Delta State Government had paid ₦10 billion in compensation to facilitate the ongoing construction of the Second Niger Bridge access road, aimed at decongesting traffic and improving connectivity between Asaba, Onitsha, and nearby communities.
The governor lamented the hardship commuters and transporters had endured over the years due to the poor state of the Warri–Sapele–Benin route, saying its reconstruction would ease movement, reduce travel time, and boost economic activities. “Beyond these economic benefits, the project will also strengthen security. Criminals often exploit bad roads to commit crimes. Once completed, this highway will make movement safer and improve the response of security agencies,” he said.
Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making Delta one of the safest and most progressive states in Nigeria through sustained investments in infrastructure, peace, and security. He also assured residents of Uvwie that their requests regarding the Mother and Child Hospital and the provision of a 500KVA transformer would receive prompt attention.
“At over sixty years of age, I am not here for personal gain but to leave lasting legacies that generations will remember me for. By the time I leave office, I want Deltans to proudly say, ‘Oborevwori did this, Oborevwori did that,’” the governor said before officially flagging off the project at Effurun Roundabout by the spare parts market, extending to after Ohore, before Ometan Bridge.
Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, described the project as the brainchild of a visionary governor determined to transform Delta’s infrastructure landscape. “This 10km project stretches five kilometres on each side and features an 8.8-metre-wide carriageway on both lanes, far beyond the standard 7.3 metres,” he said, adding that it would be completed within 12 months.
General Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Engr. Thomas Feng, thanked Governor Oborevwori for the confidence reposed in the firm, pledging to deliver the project within schedule and in line with international standards. “Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of a renewed era of infrastructure that will promote safer travel, stronger connectivity, and lasting economic growth for the people of Delta State,” Feng said.
Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Chief Anthony Ofoni, flanked by his Okpe counterpart, commended the governor for his people-oriented leadership and announced that the Airport Road in Effurun would henceforth be named “Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori Way” in recognition of his developmental vision and legacy.
Also speaking, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom and Chairman of the Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers, applauded the governor for prioritizing critical infrastructure projects across Delta, particularly in Uvwie, noting that ongoing flyovers and road expansions in Effurun and Warri have transformed the urban landscape and revitalized economic activity.
Representative of the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Okakuro Mike Afe, equally commended the governor for his developmental strides and prayed for his successful completion of two terms to consolidate the gains of the MORE Agenda.
The ceremony attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, and captains of industries, all of whom hailed the reconstruction of the Warri–Sapele–Benin Road as a beacon of renewed hope and progress for Delta State and Nigeria.
