Group Urges Oborevwori To Approve Immediate Remedial Works On Amukpe-Eku-Agbor Road

The Convener of the Coalition for Good Governance, Delta State, Jefferson Oruoghorie, has appealed to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently approve remedial works on the Amukpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor Road, which he said has deteriorated badly and become a major burden on residents and commuters.

Oruoghorie made the appeal in an exclusive interview with Oasis Magazine, expressing concern over the worsening condition of the road and its impact on transportation, economic activities, agriculture and security across communities along the route.

According to him, the road connects several important communities, including Eku, Abraka, Obiaruku, Umutu and Abavo, to Agbor and other parts of Delta State, but has suffered years of neglect despite its strategic importance.

He urged Governor Oborevwori to intervene through temporary rehabilitation, stressing that the fact that the road is a federal road should not prevent the state government from providing immediate relief to residents.

Oruoghorie cited the state government’s intervention on portions of the Federal Benin-Warri Highway around the Mosogar axis as an example of how Delta State could similarly assist in making the Amukpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor Road passable.

“We are advocating for the state government, most especially Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, to come to the aid of this particular federal road that has been abandoned for years,” he said.

He said the deplorable condition of the road had adversely affected economic activities, particularly in Abavo, where farming remains a major occupation.

Oruoghorie recalled that the route was previously busy with traders and travellers who stopped in Abavo to purchase yam, plantain and other farm produce, thereby contributing to the local economy.

“People used to patronize Oyoko Market at the Abavo axis. The Abavo people are known for farming. Now that the road is bad, so many people do not patronize them again,” he said.

ALSO READ: SUG: SDU Makes U-Turn, Orders Proper Election, Handover To Elected Union

He also lamented the increased transportation and fuel costs caused by motorists being forced to abandon the direct route and use longer alternative roads through Umutu and adjoining communities.

According to him, the situation has made travelling between Warri, Abraka, Eku and Agbor more difficult and expensive.

Oruoghorie further expressed concern about the implications of the road’s condition for investment in the area, particularly following the recently concluded Delta Economic and Investment Summit.

He questioned how prospective investors interested in agriculture and other businesses around Abavo and adjoining communities could conveniently access the area when the major connecting road remained in such poor condition.

He said the Coalition for Good Governance was not criticising the Oborevwori administration but was advocating constructive engagement and intervention for the benefit of Deltans.

“Our own is to lobby the government, to partner with government institutions to ensure they come into the aid of Deltans, especially the areas that need development,” he said.

While acknowledging the ongoing road infrastructure projects and other development initiatives of the Oborevwori administration, Oruoghorie maintained that the Amukpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor Road required urgent attention.

He also called for greater involvement of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), recalling that the commission had previously undertaken remedial work around the Ubiaruku-Campus 3 axis.

According to him, the earlier intervention was expected to extend towards the Police Station Junction area in Abraka, but the work did not cover all the sections that are currently in deplorable condition.

He said some remedial work previously carried out around the Abraka Police Station Junction did not address the portions that have subsequently deteriorated.

“What we are saying is repair. It can be achievable. What we are saying is remedial work, a temporary rehabilitation, to make the road passable,” he said.

Oruoghorie also raised security concerns over the deteriorating condition of the road, particularly around the Oronigbe axis.

He said the poor condition of the road had made movement increasingly difficult and could expose motorists and other road users to security risks.

He therefore appealed to Governor Oborevwori to approve immediate temporary rehabilitation of the affected portions of the Amukpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor corridor while efforts continue towards a permanent reconstruction of the federal road.

According to him, such an intervention would provide immediate relief to residents, farmers, traders, commuters and other road users across the affected communities.

Oruoghorie stressed that the road should not be allowed to become a political issue, insisting that the priority should be the welfare and economic wellbeing of the people.

“It is a clarion call to the Governor of the state to see reason to approve rehabilitation—temporary rehabilitation—for this road,” he said.