Between Okowa And Sheriff: Who Is The Road Master?

By Annabel Ogheneganre

Former Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa was one governor in recent past who prided himself as an exceptional performer in terms of infrastructural development particularly in the area of road construction. He was popularly called the road master because of his attention to roads mostly in Asaba and Agbor. He built the Koka flyover bridge, and several roads across the state. Before the coming of the Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Okowa was the toast of his fans and teeming supporters who congregate in club houses and other public places to sing the praise of the 2023 PDP Vice Presidential flag-bearer.

However, all that has paled into insignificance since the emergence of Governor Oborevwori. In less than two years, Sherriff Oborevwori seems to have performed beyond expectations. Indeed, nobody gave it to him. Many thought he would be a failure. He was considered by opponents to have questionable academic identity. He may not be an orator in the mound of former Governor Okowa. But this man sure knows what he is in government house for.

The speed with which the Ughelli-Asaba dua-carriage way is being executed may even make Okowa reel with envy at his Owa-Alero home. The Bridge at Ogwashi-Uku which seemed to have defied the engineering know-how of the former contractors have been delivered with enduring sense of finesse and uncommon integrity. Most parts of the road have received attention and there seem to be a fast-approaching completion date at hand. The three fly-over bridges at DSC Roundabout, PTI Junction and Enerhen Junction are springing up with wonderful designs and a sense of architectural masterpiece.

ALSO READ: Telegraph Award: Delta Under Oborevwori Stands Out – Bureau Chief

The recent approval of over N275 billion naira for execution of 76 projects spanning different sectors across the three senatorial districts of Delta state is a masterstroke.

Chief Ukah emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming the capital territory through strategic infrastructure upgrades, assuring residents that the approved projects would bring lasting benefits to the capital territory. For the first time in the history of any government in the federation, the Delta State Roads and Infrastructure Regulatory Council has ensured a 40 percent mobilization payment for contractors that would handle the 76 jobs. This is an unprecedented milestone. This policy, no doubts, guarantees prompt mobilization and timely project execution, preventing unnecessary delays that often hinder infrastructural development.

From available information, projects listed for attention in the N275billion naira approval are the Umejei Road in Ibusa, which is being given a complete facelift, and the Okpanam Township Road, from the City Gate to the church and extending into Amaichai down to the Post Office; and a 2.6-kilometer road from the Road Safety office into BONSAC, along with a network of roads that will connect to Achalla Ibusa Road.

Others include the construction of Uruagbesa Oria-Abraka Road, phase 1, the construction of Egodo-Ogbeinbene Road, and the construction of Faculty B at the Southern Delta University, Orerokpe campus, which is giving a different identity to the ancient Orerokpe town.

Others are the construction of Amai-Aragba Road, the construction of the Inam-Abbi Access Road, the construction of internal roads at Ugbolu Hilltop Government layout (Phase 1), the construction of Umuoshimi Road with spurs to Ogbe-Aku and Market Road in Onicha-Ugbo; Also, the construction of Okerenkoko – Pepeama – Kokodiagbene Road with a spur to Teiteipur in Warri South-West, and the construction of Benikrukru Township Roads (Phase II), the rehabilitation of Bomadi-Gbaregolor road, and the construction of Okwetolor – Okobia – Aragba Road.

There is also the construction of Ogbe-Isogban Road in Abavo; Owa-Ewere Road in Owa-Oyibu; approval for upward review of Ayakoromo Bridge, the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Okpanam Road from Post Office Junction to Catholic Church Roundabout to Okpanam Bypass Junction. The state executive council also approved the constriction of Iwride-Iyede internal roads (Phase 1), Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja Road (Phase 2), and Okwighele—Amuokpokpor Road, among other projects.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has distinquished himself as the true Road Master, beating former Governor Okowa to the game. The Governor’s MORE Agenda is working and there is no doubt that with 40% mobilization for contractors, Delta state is setting a new record that most governors across Nigeria should be envied of.

Already, the Delta State government has approved significant adjustments to the Warri flyover contract awarded to Julius Berger, including redesigning major interchanges and upgrading the DSC Flyover into a dual-carriage bridge. That to me is heart-warming. The state has also approved the re-modelling of the Warri City Stadium, to ensure that legacy projects were not in short supply in the state.

While execution of these projects is quite commendable, it is trite to draw attention of the state government to the plight of the Okuama people who were ruthlessly ravaged by the revenge mission from the Nigerian Army over the killings of some army officers last year. Okuama deserves serious attention in the area of reconstruction as the town was razed to its foundation during the crisis. The Otutuama road project, Orere Bridge project all in Ughelli South LGA and similar projects across Delta state should receive government attention too. The Amukpe-Agbor Road deserves attention too.

From what he has achieved so far, I think Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deserves the crown of the real Road Master of Delta state. This has nothing to do with politics and praise-singing. This is about evidence of performance that is visible to the eye. The man has done well and is taking Delta a notch higher than expected from him. This is therefore a special tribute to the real Road Master of Delta state.

Annabel Ogheneganre wrote from Abuja.