By John Odhe
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has risen to the occasion of repairing the deteriorating parts of the Edo-Delta axis of the East/West Road and the Warri-Agbor Road.
The NDDC, in collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Works, the Edo State government, and other stakeholders has commenced an urgent intervention to address the deplorable condition of the highways between Edo and Delta States.
The Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, alongside the Senate Committee and House of Representatives Committee on Works and the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku inspected the roads.
They mbarked on a joint inspection of failed portions of the Benin-Sapele-Warri and Benin-Agbor roads.
During the inspection, the works minister, Umahi stressed the Federal Government’s commitment to fixing the deteriorating sections and finding immediate and sustainable solutions to the challenges along the critical corridor.
He said the quick intervention followed a directive from president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in response to concerns over the deteriorating condition of the critical infrastructure, which had subjected commuters, residents and businesses to severe hardship.
Also speaking at the road site, the NDDC managing director, Ogbuku, said the commission received complaints about the sufferings of motorists along the Benin-Sapele road and had taken steps to intervene.
He added that the commission had scoped 15.4 kilometres between Benin, Ologbo Junction and Sapele, describing it as a strategic road section in the region and noting that the bad stretch had become unmotorable, causing gridlock, hardship and crippling the local economy.
Ogbuku said the NDDC and the ministry of works had agreed to work together on the intervention to ensure that any remedial work conforms to the road’s original design and could stand the test of time.
He said the intervention reflected the NDDC’s commitment to complementing the federal government’s efforts to restore critical infrastructure and ease the burden on communities and road users across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the NDDC was committed to supporting the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by delivering strategic infrastructure interventions to improve connectivity, stimulate economic activity, and enhance the quality of life of the people.
Speaking, Edo State governor, Okpebholo, commended Tinubu for responding swiftly to the challenge, noting the intervention would quickly arrest the deterioration of sections of the critical highway.
Okpebholo said Edo State’s strategic position made the deplorable state of the highway a national concern, describing the state as a gateway to the South-South, South-East, South-West and the North.
