Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has flagged off the reconstruction of over fifteen kilometers Benin-Sapele Expressway.
Performing the flag off in Sapele, Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori who admitted that the project would boost economic activities in the region, applauded NDDC for the initiative.
Following protracted gridlock along Warri -Sapele -Benin expressway, leading to road users wasting a lot of man-hours, even days on the road, the reconstruction of over fifteen kilometers Benin Sapele expressway by NDDC came at the right time.
While flagging off the project, ,Delta State Governor, elder Sheriff Oborevwori expressed willingness of the state Government to partner NDDC in their quest to develop Niger Delta Region.
The Governor who was Represented by Commissioner for works, Rural Development and Public Information , Mr.
Charles Aniagu called on the residents to support the move.
Similarly, Chairman NDDC Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who gave assurance that the project would be taken seriously due to it’s economic benefits, told the people the the commission has also intervened in other road projects in the state as part of the resolve to guarantee rapid development of the region.
Addressing the gathering, Managing Director NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who explained that the reconstruction of the road was in response to the suffering of the people over the deplorable state of the road, said that the intervention was in line with the directive of president Bola Tinubu that the commission wade in to remedy the situation.
While describing the road as a gateway to Niger Delta, Eastern and Western parts of the country, The MD noted that there was an inspection earlier with the Minister of works on the road, during which the commission requested for a redesign and hand over to the commission.
According to Dr. Ogbuku, the commission has already intervened in other parts of East West Road, precisely, Irua and Ahoada axis, being an indication of the ability of the interventionists Agency to live up to her mandate.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Interventionists Agency insisted that the commission was intentional about rural and Urban development of the oil rich region.
According to the NDDC Boss, two contractors were engaged to fast track speedy completion of the project by starting from both ends of the road simultaneously.
The Managing Director stated that NDDC Was determined to start and complete projects at record time.
Giving the project brief, the Executive Director Projects, EDP, Dr. Victor Antai who said the stretch of the road was over fifteen kilometers and would be done in conjunction with Federal Ministry of works, expressed optimism that the project would alleviate the suffering of road users along Benin-Sapele Road.
While appreciating NDDC for the gesture, Chairman, House of Reps Committee on NDDC, Eriatake Erhiatake Ibori -SUENU pleaded with the communities to provide an enabling environment for the contractors to facilitate speedy completion.
Ibori SUENU observed that it was difficult for her to get to her community, Oghara, saying that then project would alleviate the difficulty faced by motorists, communities and other road users.
