Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has flagged off the reconstruction of the Benin-Sapele Expressway by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The flag-off ceremony held at Amukpe Roundabout, marked the commencement of urgent repairs on one of the most deplorable sections of the East-West Road corridor.
Represented by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the governor commended the NDDC for its sustained partnership with the nine Niger Delta states.
“The NDDC has, since the inauguration of the current board, executed projects that reflect the aspirations of our people.
“As a government, we remain open to partnerships with the Commission to promote sustainable development and improve the livelihood of our people”, Oborevwori stated.
The governor also lauded President Bola Tinubu for his policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, NDDC Governing Board Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said the intervention underscored the Commission’s resolve to complement Federal Government efforts to restore critical infrastructure across the region.
The Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the Commission was responding to a presidential directive to intervene swiftly on failed portions of the East-West Road.
“Following the presidential directive to intervene swiftly, the NDDC has mobilized two civil engineering firms to reconstruct the road. This will help minimize the suffering and gridlock faced by commuters,” Ogbuku stated.
He expressed confidence that the reconstruction, to be supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works, would provide a lasting solution. He urged communities and road users to exercise patience during the construction period.
Also speaking, NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Dr. Victor Antai, said the Commission had scoped 15.4 kilometres between Benin, Ologbo Junction and Sapele for immediate intervention.
He described the section as strategic, noting that the bad stretch had become unmotorable, causing gridlock, hardship and crippling the local economy.
“The NDDC and the Ministry of Works have agreed to work together to ensure that the reconstruction conforms to the road’s original design,” Antai added.
He apologized to truck drivers and other road users who had been stranded for days.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, in her goodwill message, thanked President Tinubu “for listening to the cries of the people.”
She said the reconstruction would ensure free movement of goods and people from Delta to Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
