Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has said his administration has paid N10 billion as compensation to ensure that contractors move to the site of the ongoing second Niger Bridge access project.
The governor disclosed this at the flag-off of the Warri-Sapele Benin Road project, saying the effort will ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity between Asaba, Onitsha and the surrounding communities.
He emphasised that reconstruction is, therefore, strategic to people whose activities are centered on enhancing mobility, improving production and boosting economic growth.
The governor described the Warri–Sapele–Benin Road as a critical national infrastructure connecting major cities across the South-South and providing access to Edo and other parts of the federation.
Governor Oborevwori said the initiative underscored the gains of synergy between the two tiers of government, emphasising that development becomes faster when governments work together in the people’s interest.
“Although this road is a federal route, the users are Deltans and Nigerians, and their safety and comfort matter most to us,” he said.
“Beyond these economic benefits, the project will also strengthen security. Criminal elements often exploit bad roads to commit crimes, adding that when completed, the highway will make movement safer and give security agencies better access to patrol and respond swiftly to incidents”.
He made it clear that security remains the administration’s top priority, adding that working closely with the police, Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS and other agencies will reduce criminal activities in the state.
He clarified that the flyover and other infrastructure were not meant for Uvwie alone but would serve as gateways to other parts of the state.
In his speech, the representative of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) remarked that the firm remains committed to delivering a road of exceptional quality, guided by the highest standards of professionalism and the determination to carry out the all-important project.
The commissioner for Works (highways), Comrade Reuben Izeze, disclosed that the 10-kilometre project with five kilometres on both sides has unique technical features, explaining that it will have a double carriage width of 8.8 metres, designed for durability and improved traffic flow.
