The Niger Delta Development Commission has commenced the reconstruction of a 15.4-kilometre failed section of the Benin-Sapele Expressway in Delta State, with the commission promising to deliver a more durable road for motorists and businesses along the corridor.
The project was flagged off at Amukpe Roundabout, Sapele, on Friday, in what officials described as a major intervention to ease the hardship caused by the deplorable condition of the highway.
Speaking at the event, Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, said the project would improve movement and stimulate economic activities in the state.
Aniagwu said the intervention also demonstrated the importance of cooperation among government agencies in tackling infrastructure challenges in the Niger Delta.
He explained that the Delta State Government had intervened in the rehabilitation of federal roads because residents of the state were the ones affected by their poor condition.
“We don’t differentiate. What matters to us is that our people are suffering and we have the responsibility to intervene,” he said.
According to him, the state government had spent more than N300bn on federal road corridors across Delta State to improve transportation and reduce the difficulties faced by motorists.
He listed the construction of more than five kilometres of rigid-pavement dual carriageway along the Warri axis, as well as bridges and flyovers on federal road corridors, among the state’s interventions.
Aniagwu mentioned projects at Otovwodo Junction, DSC Roundabout, PTI Junction, Enerhen Roundabout and Uromi Junction in Agbor.
He welcomed the NDDC’s intervention on the Benin-Sapele Expressway, saying the completion of the project would improve transportation and support businesses in Delta and other states connected by the East-West corridor.
The commissioner appealed to residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with the contractors to ensure timely completion.
He also warned against vandalism of public infrastructure, citing the discovery of damaged components on the First Niger Bridge.
Aniagwu said the removal of critical bridge components could weaken the structures and expose motorists to danger.
The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, said the commission commenced the project following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to address the suffering of motorists using the road.
Ebie said the NDDC was committed to completing the reconstruction and restoring normal movement along the corridor.
He disclosed that two contractors would work from opposite ends of the 15.4-kilometre section to speed up construction.
“The President saw the plight of our people and directed that something must be done. We are here today to commence the reconstruction, and we are determined to deliver this project,” Ebie said.
He described the Benin-Sapele Expressway as a major economic corridor connecting the South-South with other parts of the country.
Ebie also announced that the NDDC had begun the process of terminating and re-awarding the contract for the Abraka-Obiaruku-Abavo-Agbor Road following problems with the previous contractor.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, apologised to residents, community leaders and motorists for the hardship caused by the poor condition of the highway.
Ogbuku said the reconstruction followed a presidential directive after Tinubu received complaints and saw videos showing the condition of the road.
He said the commission worked with the Federal Ministry of Works, obtained the project design and secured approval for the road to be handed over to the NDDC for immediate intervention.
“We apologise to our people for the pains they have gone through. We know what this road means to the people, and we are here to ensure that relief comes to them,” Ogbuku said.
He described the road as strategically important because it connects the South-West, North and South-South regions and supports the movement of people and goods.
The NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Victor Antai, said the reconstruction would cover about 15.4 kilometres.
He disclosed that the road would be reconstructed using rigid concrete pavement, which he said would make it more durable and reduce the frequency of repairs.
According to Antai, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Ronin and Fan Limited have been engaged to execute the project.
The Delta State representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Monday Igbuya, commended the commission for approving the reconstruction.
Igbuya, however, appealed to the NDDC to extend its intervention to the Amukpe-Abraka-Agbor Road and the Sapele-Warri Road.
He said rehabilitating the roads would further improve connectivity and boost economic activities across Delta State.
In their goodwill messages, Senator Ede Dafinone and Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu commended President Tinubu and the NDDC for the intervention.
They urged the commission and contractors to ensure that the project was completed according to specification and within the expected timeframe.
