Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday commissioned the newly constructed 33.5-kilometre Elele-Egbeda-Omoku dual carriageway, describing the project as a major intervention that would improve connectivity, strengthen security and stimulate economic activities across several communities in the state.
The road, which traverses parts of Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas, is expected to provide a faster and safer transportation corridor for residents, farmers, traders, workers and other road users while opening up economic opportunities in the communities along its route.
Shettima said the road represented a significant contribution by the Rivers State Government to the expansion of Nigeria’s road infrastructure and the improvement of the movement of people and goods.
According to the Vice President, roads remain among the most important instruments of development because they connect communities and provide access to markets, employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.
He noted that the benefits of good road infrastructure extend beyond transportation, stressing that roads directly affect the daily lives and economic prospects of ordinary Nigerians.
“Roads are the most democratic instruments of development,” Shettima said, explaining that they serve the farmer transporting produce to the market, the trader searching for customers, the worker travelling in search of employment, the student going to school and the patient seeking medical attention.
The Vice President recalled the deplorable condition of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku route before its reconstruction, saying the road had previously constituted a major challenge to commuters because of deep gullies and other hazards that made journeys difficult.
He also noted that the poor condition of the road, coupled with security challenges along the corridor, had contributed to the difficulties experienced by residents and motorists who depended on it for transportation.
Shettima commended Governor Fubara for the intervention, saying the transformation of the former dilapidated route into a modern dual carriageway had changed the experience of commuters and residents in the affected communities.
He particularly highlighted the provision of lighting along the road, saying the infrastructure would enhance safer movement both during the day and at night.
The Vice President said the project demonstrated how investment in critical infrastructure could improve the quality of life of citizens while supporting economic growth and strengthening links between communities.
Governor Fubara, in his remarks, described the completed Elele-Omoku Road as one of the significant achievements of his administration, saying the project had transformed a route previously associated with long travel times, insecurity and economic disruption into a modern and secure highway.
Fubara said the road was more than a signature infrastructure project, describing it as evidence of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Rivers residents and a fulfilment of its promise to the people.
“For anybody who understands the nature of this road, they will appreciate what we have done here. It’s not just a project; it’s a statement that we have made to show our people that we care for you,” the governor said.
He explained that the corridor had previously been associated with criminal activities, particularly kidnapping and illegal oil bunkering, expressing confidence that the completed dual carriageway would significantly improve security operations in the area.
“We already know what normally happens on this road. It is a corridor for kidnap; it is also a very big corridor for bunkering. I’m very, very convinced that with what we have done today, those things will be things of the past. Security agencies can now operate effectively along this corridor,” Fubara said.
The governor also expressed appreciation to residents of communities along the route for their support and cooperation during the construction of the project, acknowledging that their cooperation contributed to its successful completion.
Fubara welcomed the presence of the Vice President at the commissioning, describing it as a demonstration that Rivers State remained an integral part of Nigeria and that the Federal Government continued to recognise and support the state.
“For a long time, I felt that maybe, we’re not part of this country. But today, I feel very happy that our country is also standing by us,” he said.
The governor added that the commissioning gave him a sense of fulfilment despite the challenges his administration had faced, saying the completion of the road provided tangible evidence of his government’s intention to improve the lives of Rivers residents.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, said the project had been executed in accordance with established engineering standards and specifications to guarantee durability and long-term structural integrity.
Nwofor disclosed that the contract was awarded to Messrs Craneburg Construction Company on March 26, 2024, and included the construction of approximately 33.5 kilometres of road works, six kilometres of drainage and a 99-metre-long by 11-metre-wide bridge at the Ubimini axis.
He said the project also featured street lighting across the entire length of the highway, in addition to other road infrastructure designed to improve safety and ease of movement.
“The basic specifics of this project is a total construction and rehabilitation of approximately 33.5 kilometres of road works with a width of 7.3 metres on both sides of the dual carriageway, an asphaltic binder course of 50mm, an asphaltic wearing course of 50mm, a concrete shoulder of 1.2 metres on both sides, and a concrete median of 1.4 metres,” Nwofor said.
He described the project as another major step in the Rivers State Government’s efforts to provide durable infrastructure and improve connectivity across the state.
The commissioning of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku dual carriageway marks the completion of a major transportation intervention expected to have implications for commerce, agriculture, security and social mobility across the communities served by the route.
With improved road access, residents and businesses along the corridor are expected to benefit from reduced travel difficulties and improved access to markets and services, while the upgraded infrastructure is also expected to facilitate more effective security operations.
The project therefore represents not only an expansion of Rivers State’s road network but also an attempt to transform a once-challenging transportation corridor into a safer and more efficient route for economic and social activities.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by government officials, community leaders, traditional rulers, contractors and residents from communities along the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku corridor.
The Rivers State Government said the project formed part of its broader determination to deliver infrastructure capable of supporting sustainable development and improving the living conditions of citizens across the state.
