Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reiterated the state government’s willingness to partner with the Federal Government for the overall socio-economic development of the state.
Governor Oborevwori disclosed this in his remarks at the inauguration of the reconstructed 9.6km Abraka – Oben Road and flag-off of reconstruction of failed portions of Abraka – Agbor Road (Phase 1) in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, Governor Oborevwori said his administration remained irrevocably committed in its partnership with the President Bola Tinubu led federal government for the transformation of the state.
He said the Oborevwori governance philosophy believes that if the Federal Government succeeds it would dovetail in the success of the subnational governments.
He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC for the initiative to reconstruct the all important access road from Abraka to Oben and called for the completion of the road to Benin.
“I thank the board of the NDDC for the vision and for acknowledging the challenges and for giving the policy guideline for the execution of this laudable project.
“I am glad that the NDDC is giving special attention to reconstruction of failed portions on roads across the region.
“The Government of Delta State believes very strongly and firmly that we are partners in progress with the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu.
“We believe in the success of the Federal Government because of the nature of our Constitution and its operations, the success of the Federal Government will naturally translate to the success of the states as well.
“Governor Oborevwori therefore wishes to commend President Bola Tinubu for his support for the board of the NDDC thus far and urging him to continue to do more for the people of the Niger Delta,” he added.
On comments by former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and member representing Delta State on the NDDC Board, Governor Oborevwori said the Delta State Government had shown verifiable commitment in its interventions on federal roads across the state, recalling the state of the Benin – Warri Road before the state government intervened.
“I recall vividly that Mr Speaker as he then was approved funds for the rehabilitation of the Benin – Sapele road by the Delta State Government.
“While he was Speaker, the Delta State Government saw the need to intervene on the Benin – Warri highway particularly from Amukpe to Effurun.
“It was important we intervened at that time because vehicles were spending days to commute from Benin to Warri.
“The Government as at that time rehabilitated that road under his watch as Mr Speaker, therefore to give the impression that Delta State Government was leaving everything for NDDC is a fallacious misrepresentation which I needed to correct here and now.
“Let me inform you that the bridges coming up in the Warri area is a Federal trunk A road and the state government is intervening there to reduce travel time.
“The Ughelli-Asaba dualisation project is about 180km, I urge you to take a drive from Ughelli-Asaba and see the wonderful intervention of the Delta State Government on a federal highway.
“This road you have come here to flag-off I can tell you that we have intervened severally on this road.
“Governor Oborevwori’s good works have been acknowledged by THISDAY/ARISE News and now New Telegraph Newspaper as Governor of the year (Infrastructure).
“I don’t know if the NDDC mobilises contractors but today in Delta State we mobilize our contractors up to 40 percent so that they will not suffer from the vagaries of inflation.
“I thank Mr President for picking very good people in managing different ministries departments and agencies for the good of Nigerians.”
Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, thanked the NDDC for heeding to President Tinubu’s directive to reconstruct section one of the road from Abraka – Oben.
While commending Governor Oborevwori for his interventions on federal roads in the state, the Minister urged Governors across the country to see interventionist agencies as partners in progress and not as competitors.
Chairman NDDC Governing board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, commended the executive management for giving vent to the board’s directives, adding “we are glad that work has started along the Abraka – Agbor Road and the Uromi junction at Agbor.
Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Sam Ogbuku said NDDC was working well under the full guidance of President Bola Tinubu to improve on infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
“Before reconstruction of this road, we intervened in some areas of the East West Road to ensure the people do not suffer unnecessarily.”
He commended state governments for their contributions to the development of the Niger Delta, adding that the NDDC was just an interventionist agency aimed at complementing the state governments.
