Tinubu Orders NDDC To Begin Reconstruction Of Warri-Benin Highway

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has officially started rebuilding the ruined Warri-Sapele-Benin portion of the East-West road.

According to Chief Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Commission, President Bola Tinubu instructed the NDDC to fix the road as fast as possible, mentioning that stakeholders had spent a long time complaining about its awful condition.

“On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, I apologize to the people of this area for the hardship they experienced navigating through the road but hope has come,” Ogbuku stated.

He added: “We are here because Mr. President gave directive to the NDDC to work on the road, which informed the inspection of the Benin-Agbor and the Benin-Warri roads with the Minister of Works. We requested for a design and the minister has given us the design. So we are commencing reconstruction of the road.”

Ogbuku pointed out that alongside the Warri-Sapele-Benin road, the NDDC has stepped in on various road projects across the area, including an ongoing one-kilometer bridge construction in Rivers State. He urged the two contractors handling the site to guarantee quick work and timely finish.

Monday Igbuya, the Delta State Representative on the NDDC board, pointed out the tough struggles drivers encounter, stating that Sapele had been cut off from Warri and other zones of Delta State, preventing residents from getting to Agbor and nearby routes.

He additionally asked the commission to fix the ruined Eku road so students can reach their schools.

Victor Antai, the NDDC Director of Projects, shared that the project is divided between two companies—CCECC, a Chinese construction company, and a local firm—to speed up progress. He noted that the commission aims to reconnect communities and build a flourishing Niger Delta.

Notable figures present at the launch event included Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (represented by Works Commissioner Charles Aniagu), traditional rulers, Senator Ede Dafinone, Erhiapeke Ibori who serves as the House of Representatives member for Ethiope Federal Constituency, and Chief Peter Asaba, the Duke of Amukpe.