NDDC deploys two contractors to fast-track Benin-Sapele road reconstruction

•Oborevwori, Ede, Ibori-Suenu hail Tinubu over intervention

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced the reconstruction of a 15.4-kilometre stretch of the Benin-Sapele Expressway in Delta State, deploying two contractors simultaneously to accelerate completion of the critical road.

 The intervention, flagged off by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday at the Amukpe Roundabout along the Benin-Sapele Road, is expected to ease the prolonged gridlock and hardship suffered by commuters, communities and businesses using the major corridor linking Nigeria’s Southwest to the Southsouth.

 It will cover the Ajomata/Ibada-Elume-Amuke-Oghara section of the expressway.

 Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, said the intervention followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu after complaints over the deplorable condition of the road.

“Mr President has directed that we deal with this problem. We’ve all suffered the delays by road and everything, so today we are here to deal with 15km stretch of this alignment,” Ebie said.

 Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission’s intervention was also a response to persistent appeals from residents and road users who had endured serious hardship on the corridor.

 “Mr President heard all your complaints and directed the NDDC to immediately come and intervene,” Ogbuku said, apologising on behalf of the President to commuters, community leaders and residents affected by the road’s condition.

 He explained that the decision to engage two contractors was deliberate, stressing that the contractors would work from opposite ends of the project to shorten the completion period.

 “We want to also assure you that we are willing to complete this project. We don’t want to be on this site for too long,” he said.

 Ogbuku described Tinubu as “a listening and caring president”, saying the administration had strengthened the NDDC to deliver critical projects across the Niger Delta.

 “This is the NDDC of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is carefully watching what we do, directing everything we do and monitoring all steps. That is why we are also on our toes to ensure that we deliver,” he said.

 According to him, the bad condition of the road has had far-reaching consequences beyond transportation, as goods and services have become increasingly difficult to move across the region.

 “Most goods stay on this road for two to three weeks, in some cases, one month. It has also increased the cost of goods in our markets and also in our communities, so reconstructing this road will benefit all of us,” he said.

 He added that the NDDC had previously intervened on the Irrua axis of the Benin-Auchi Road, which he said had remained impassable for years, as well as on the East-West Road, between Rivers and Bayelsa states.

 Ogbuku particularly acknowledged the efforts of the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiateke Ibori-Suenu, whose persistent advocacy, he said, helped bring the intervention to fruition.

 “Let me also appreciate Hon. Erhiateke Ibori-Suenu, who has also not slept because she has been calling every day that she cannot go home and we must come and intervene on this project. She has put so much pressure on us which has yielded this result,” he said.

 Executive Director, Projects, NDDC, Sir Victor Antai, named China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), as one of the contractors undertaking the 15.4km reconstruction, assuring that the commission would maintain the required standards.

 He said the project was aimed at reducing gridlock and easing the burden on road users, urging communities to support the contractors for timely delivery.

 Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Rural Roads and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the NDDC Governing Board for its partnership with the nine Niger Delta states.

 The governor said the state government welcomed the intervention because of the enormous hardship caused by the failed sections of the road.

 “When we heard that the NDDC would carry out an intervention, we jumped in joy,” he said, while expressing hope for further interventions on the corridor.

 Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, also thanked President Tinubu for responding to the cries of residents by directing the NDDC to intervene.

Ibori-Suenu described the intervention as a major relief for her constituents and other road users.

 “I want to thank Mr President for hearing the cries of our people. This tells you that he is a listening leader,” she said, commending the NDDC “for wiping the tears of our people.”

 She urged youths and women in the affected communities to support the contractors and protect the project from disruption.

 The welcome remarks were delivered by former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, who described the road as a major economic lifeline that had effectively cut communities off from Benin, Agbor and other parts of the region.

 “I slept in this place. Tankers cannot pass at all,” Igbuya said, appealing to the NDDC to extend the intervention towards the Warri axis.

 The poor condition of the road has in recent times resulted in severe traffic congestion, with scores of vehicles, including trailers and other heavy-duty vehicles stranded or parked along the route for days.

 The reconstruction is therefore expected to improve the movement of passengers, agricultural produce, other goods and services, while reducing vehicle operating costs, journey times and pressure on transport fares.

 The event was attended by the Works Minister, David Umahi, represented by the Delta State Controller of Works; Sapele Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bright Abeke; Ethiope West Local Government Chairman, Chris Onogba; representatives of traditional rulers, including the Orodje of Okpe; NDDC officials and other stakeholders.