On Monday, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State vowed to aggressively pursue upgrading roads across the state’s three senatorial districts in line with his MORE agenda.
He made the vow at the groundbreaking ceremony of four legacy road projects awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC in the Warri/Effurun metropolis of Warri and Uvwie local government areas of the state.
The event witnessed the presence of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, royal fathers, a mammoth crowd, dignitaries from all walks of life, and state government functionaries from Asaba, the state capital.
At the ceremony, an excited Oborevwori described the occasion as fulfilling his promise to the people after his inauguration as governor on May 29 this year.
He itemised the four projects to include: “Design and Construction of Flyover Bridge from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri in Uvwie, and Warri South Local Government Areas.
“Study, Design and Construction of Road Expansion and Improvement Works on the Section Of DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun Roundabout to DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway, including Construction of a ¾ Cloverleaf Interchange at the Existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two Pedestrian Bridges, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
“Design and Construction of a Flyover Bridge at PTI Junction, along the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.
“Design and Construction of Flyover at DSC Roundabout, along the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.”
According to him, the “cumulative contract sum for the four projects is seventy-seven billion, nine hundred and ninety-seven million, one hundred and fifty-nine thousand, three hundred and thirty-nine naira, and ninety-one kobo (N77,997,159,339.91) only.”
While noting that the completion period of the projects stands at 27 months, the “strategic projects are aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced between Effurun Roundabout, through PTI Road Junction, and DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway at Effurun.
“They will also ease vehicular movement at the stretch from Enerhen Junction, Effurun, to Marine Gate, Warri, in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.
“As I said during the contract signing ceremony, these projects will not only change the face of the Warri-Effurun Metropolis, they will also ease the traffic congestion in the area and alleviate the hardship faced by commuters.”
He said, “As is often the case with road construction of this nature, there will be direct employment opportunities for our people, especially engineers, artisans, and labourers. In the construction value chain, food vendors and suppliers, transporters, quarry operators, and many others also benefit.”
He enjoined motorists and pedestrians in the area to be patient and orderly and obey traffic rules and regulations to facilitate ease of movement and reduce travel time through the construction area, adding that the contractors require the understanding and maximum cooperation of the citizens to deliver the projects on schedule.
He also encouraged motorists to use the alternative routes in the vicinity whenever feasible to reduce the traffic volume in the construction area, adding that the state government has commenced a program of maintenance and rehabilitation of the alternative routes to reduce the inconvenience travellers and motorists will experience.
