From Francis Sadhere, Delta

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced the reconstruction of a 15.4-kilometre failed section of the Benin-Sapele Expressway, in a major intervention aimed at restoring one of the Niger Delta’s critical economic corridors and easing the hardship faced by motorists.

The intervention, which was flagged off at Amukpe Roundabout, Sapele, Delta State, weekend, is being executed with rigid concrete pavement by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Ronin and Fan Limited.

The project assumes added significance against the backdrop of the Delta State Government’s disclosure that it has spent more than N300 billion intervening in federal road corridors across the state to keep major routes accessible to residents and motorists.

Speaking at the flag-off, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, commended the NDDC for taking over the reconstruction of the failed portion of the strategic highway.

Oborevwori described the intervention as a major boost to connectivity, economic activities and the wellbeing of Deltans and other road users who depend on the corridor.

The governor said the development demonstrated the importance of collaboration among governments and government agencies in confronting the infrastructure challenges confronting the Niger Delta.

Aniagwu said the Delta State Government had adopted a policy of intervening in critical roads regardless of whether they belonged to the federal or state government.

“We don’t differentiate,” he said, stressing that the people who use the roads are the ultimate beneficiaries, irrespective of the ownership of the infrastructure.

According to him, the state government had constructed more than five kilometres of rigid-pavement dual carriageway along the Warri axis, while bridges and flyovers had also been delivered along federal road corridors.

He listed major interventions at Otovwodo Junction, DSC Roundabout, PTI Junction, Enerhen Roundabout and Uromi Junction in Agbor.

The commissioner said the state’s interventions were driven by the need to reduce the hardship experienced by road users and improve economic activities across the state.

Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, said the commission commenced the reconstruction following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the hardship being experienced by motorists and commuters along the corridor.

Ebie said the commission was determined to complete the project and restore normal movement on the road after years of difficult travelling conditions.

He disclosed that two contractors would work simultaneously from opposite ends of the project in order to accelerate completion.

The NDDC chairman stressed that the Benin-Sapele Expressway should not be viewed merely as a regional road, describing it as a critical national economic corridor linking the South-South with other parts of the country.

His position was reinforced by the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who said the strategic importance of the highway made its reconstruction an urgent necessity.

Ogbuku apologised to residents, community leaders and motorists for the hardship caused by the deplorable condition of the road, assuring them that relief was on the way.

He said the intervention followed the President’s directive after Tinubu saw videos and received complaints about the condition of the highway.

According to Ogbuku, the NDDC subsequently engaged the Federal Ministry of Works, obtained the project design and secured approval for the site to be handed over to the commission for immediate intervention.

He described the road as a major federal route linking the South-West and North to the South-South, making its rehabilitation important not only to Delta State but to the wider Nigerian economy.

Giving details of the project, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Engr. Victor Antai, said the reconstruction covered approximately 15.4 kilometres and would be executed using rigid concrete pavement.

He named CCECC and Ronin and Fan Limited as the contractors engaged to execute the reconstruction.

The decision to use rigid pavement is expected to provide a more durable surface on the heavily travelled corridor, particularly given the volume of commercial and heavy-duty traffic that passes through the route.

While welcoming the NDDC’s intervention, the Delta State representative on the commission’s Governing Board, Hon. Monday Igbuya, called for the expansion of the intervention to other important road corridors.

Igbuya appealed to the NDDC to extend its intervention to the Amukpe-Abraka-Agbor Road and the Sapele-Warri Road, arguing that the projects would further strengthen connectivity across Delta State.

Ebie also disclosed that the commission had taken steps to terminate and re-award the contract for the Abraka-Obiaruku-Abavo-Agbor Road following challenges encountered by the previous contractor.

The development is expected to provide another boost to movement between communities in the central and northern parts of Delta State.

As the state and federal interventions continue, Aniagwu warned residents against vandalising critical infrastructure.

He cited the recent discovery of damaged components on the First Niger Bridge, warning that the removal of structural components could compromise the integrity of the bridge and put the lives of motorists at risk.

He appealed to communities and other stakeholders to protect public infrastructure and cooperate with contractors to ensure that projects are completed on schedule.

For years, motorists using the Benin-Sapele Expressway have had to contend with difficult travelling conditions along failed portions of the highway, with the consequences extending beyond delays and inconvenience to businesses and communities dependent on the route.

Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, says the Trans-Sahara Superhighway will significantly improve security, agriculture and commerce across its corridor.

Umahi stated this on Saturday in Abakaliki after inspecting ongoing works on Section Two of the highway in Ado Local Government Area, Benue.

He said Section Two, measuring approximately 173.

According to him, Section One runs for about 123 kilometres from Ebonyi to the Ebonyi-Benue boundary.

The minister said the combined length of Sections One and Two would therefore be nearly 300 kilometres.

“When communities are brought closer through road construction and states become more accessible, you can see the economic impact.

“If we complete this project, you will see significant improvements in security, agriculture, and commerce,” he said.

Umahi said the highway would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce from major farming areas in Benue, Ebonyi and Enugu to markets.

He said the Federal Government was also constructing bypasses, including the 8.9-kilometre Afikpo bypass in Ebonyi, which was being dualised.

The minister said the second carriageway of Section One was being designed to align with other legacy projects of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

On funding, Umahi acknowledged financial challenges but assured Nigerians that projects would continue based on available resources.

“There are challenges; we cannot have all the money to do all the projects at once.

“So, we will continue to do the much we can based on our available resources,” the minister said.

Umahi projected that the projects would be completed by 2031, subject to Tinubu’s re-election and continuity of the administration.

He appealed to host communities to cooperate with contractors by providing access to borrow pits and facilitating valuation of affected crops and properties.

“Nobody will touch your building unnecessarily; I want you to cooperate with us and show us the borrow pits. We will pay compensation where necessary,” Umahi added.

The minister commended the contractor for its commitment, noting that construction work was continuing despite the rainy season.

He urged Nigerians to appreciate the Federal Government’s intervention in communities that had previously lacked federal roads.

Umahi also canvassed support for Tinubu and APC candidates, saying continuity was necessary to ensure completion of the highway. (NAN)

The Police Command in Kaduna State has dismantled two bandits’ hideouts during a clearance operation in Makarfi Local Government Area.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna.

Hassan said the operation was conducted by police operatives in collaboration with the Kaduna State Vigilance Service, Makarfi.

He said the operation, conducted at about 8:00 a.m., was based on credible intelligence provided by members of the community.

According to him, the operatives raided suspected bandits’ enclaves around Durum and Danguzuri general areas, extending to the boundary with Kano State.

He said two structures identified as hideouts used by the bandits to hold abducted victims were dismantled at Rugar Mijin Goggo and Unguwar Maryamu, Danguzuri.

Hassan said joint security patrols were still ongoing in the affected areas, adding that normalcy had been restored.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police,

Rabiu Muhammad, as commending the communities for their cooperation and the gallantry of the security operatives.

Muhammad reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain its offensive against banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.

The commissioner urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations