Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, on Tuesday, performed the official groundbreaking for the long-awaited reconstruction of the Warri–Sapele–Benin Dual Carriageway, marking what he called a renewed era of cooperation between the Federal and State Governments to improve national infrastructure.
The ceremony, held at the Effurun Roundabout in Uvwie Local Government Area, signaled the beginning of a 10-kilometre reconstruction project covering sections of Uvwie and Okpe LGAs.
The road, a major transport corridor in the South-South, links Delta and Edo states and serves as a lifeline for commuters and businesses.
“This road may be federal, but its users are our people. This project embodies what we can achieve when governments work together in the interest of Nigerians, ” he said.
He described the road as a critical national artery that had suffered decades of neglect, leading to hardship for transporters, commuters, and communities along its route.
The reconstruction, he explained, is a major step under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and showcases Delta’s alignment with the Federal Government’s infrastructure vision.
The governor assured that the road would be built to modern specifications, including reinforced concrete pavement, expanded shoulders, and stormwater drainage systems, ensuring durability and safer journeys for road users.
He also highlighted the state’s broader infrastructure efforts, revealing that N10 billion had already been paid in compensation to facilitate work on the Second Niger Bridge access roads, improving connectivity between Asaba and Onitsha.
“Once completed, this highway will improve mobility, boost economic activity, and enhance security.
“Criminal elements thrive on bad roads—this project will help change that, ” he said.
Governor Oborevwori also responded to local requests from the Uvwie Kingdom, assuring residents that their demands for a Mother and Child Hospital and a 500KVA transformer would be looked into.
“At over 60 years old, I’m not in this for personal gain. I want to leave legacies Deltans will remember with pride,” he said, before flagging off the project from the Effurun Spare Parts Market to just before Ometan Bridge.
Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, described the road as a product of the governor’s foresight.
He noted that the dual carriageway would span 8.8 metres wide on both lanes—an improvement over the standard 7.3 metres—and promised completion within 12 months.
“This project is transformational. It’s not just a road—it’s a platform for trade, mobility, and community growth,” Izeze said.
Also, Engr. Thomas Feng, General Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractor handling the project, thanked the governor for the opportunity and vowed to deliver on time and to international standards.
Earlier, Uvwie Local Government Chairman, Chief Anthony Ofoni, announced plans to rename Airport Road in Effurun after the governor“Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori Way”—to honour his contributions to the area’s development.
Traditional rulers also lent their voices in praise. HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, hailed the governor’s focus on major infrastructure projects in Warri and Effurun, including ongoing flyover constructions and road expansions.
Okakuro Mike Afe, representing the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, commended the governor’s developmental strides and prayed for the successful completion of his eight-year tenure under the MORE Agenda.
The event was attended by top state officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, and representatives of the private sector, all of whom described the reconstruction as a beacon of hope and a signal of better days for Delta State and Nigeria at large.
