Hon Charles Aniagwu in a chat with his team members during the inspection tour
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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will on Friday inaugurate the completed Phase One of the Oko-Amakom/Oko-Obiokpu Road project, including the access road linking the corridor to the Second Niger Bridge Service Road in Oshimili South Local Government Area.
The project, which spans about 4.7 kilometres, also includes adjoining roads linking the Oko communities is being executed by the Delta State Ministry of Works, Highways and Urban Roads.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this on Wednesday while inspecting the project site in preparation for the governor’s visit and inauguration ceremony.
Aniagwu explained that the road project is designed to link several Oko communities, including Oko-Amakom and Oko-Anala, thereby improving connectivity within the area and enhancing access to the Second Niger Bridge corridor.
According to him, the first phase of the road construction covers about 4.7 kilometres, while work has already commenced on the second phase of the project.
He noted that the commissioning demonstrates Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to governance despite ongoing political activities in the state.
“In spite of electioneering campaigns and the party congresses, nothing is stopping governance.
Immediately after our congress yesterday, the governor was even ready to commission the project today, but we pleaded for time to properly prepare the ground for the event,” Aniagwu said.
He stressed that the governor remains committed to delivering projects across the state until the very last day of his administration.
Aniagwu also explained that the road was deliberately constructed at an elevated level due to the waterlogged nature of the environment and the history of flooding in the area.
“This environment is usually waterlogged during the rainy season. That is why the engineers designed the road to be raised far above the 2012 flood level. Some surrounding buildings are lower, but the road is elevated by several metres to prevent it from being submerged during flooding,” he said.
He added that significant sand filling using sharp sand was required after removing unsuitable soil to ensure the stability of the road alignment.
According to him, the project is being executed by Setraco Nigeria Limited, a construction firm known for handling major infrastructure projects across the country.
“The governor believes that five-star projects should be given to five-star contractors, and that is why Setraco, a very competent company that has delivered many projects for us, is handling this project,” Aniagwu said.
Speaking on Amaechi Agusi and adjoining streets in Asaba, which are also slated for commissioning on Friday, Aniagwu said the roads were handled by the Capital Territory Development Agency.
He explained that the roads were constructed with dual drainage systems on both sides to effectively channel flood water away into the main drainage along the Asaba–Benin Expressway.
Aniagwu noted that the contractor had been directed to begin immediate desilting and cleaning of the drains along the corridors ahead of the commissioning ceremony. He said the road project would significantly enhance economic activities in the area by connecting communities to centres of commerce and production.
According to him, many lands previously used as farmland have now become viable residential plots due to improved access provided by the road.
“Providing roads like this enhances the commercial value of land and improves security because more people can access the community,” he said.
Aniagwu further noted that the road corridor could serve as an alternative route linking parts of Delta State, stretching toward Ndokwa East and Patani areas, thereby improving connectivity and reducing travel time for commuters.
He added that beyond improving mobility, the road would also enable farmers in the surrounding communities to easily transport their agricultural produce to markets.
The inauguration of the road forms part of the Oborevwori administration’s ongoing efforts to expand infrastructure and improve connectivity across communities in Delta State.
