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.