The Delta State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited have intensified efforts to strengthen collaboration for the construction of the proposed Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road and Bridges project in the state.
The ambitious infrastructure project, which covers about 70 kilometres with 29 bridges, is expected to improve connectivity among riverine communities and boost economic activities across the Niger Delta region.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori gave the assurance of the state government’s readiness to support the project when he received the leadership of the NDDC and a delegation from Chevron at Government House in Asaba on Thursday.
Oborevwori commended the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Sam Ogbuku, for the progress made by the commission under his leadership and reaffirmed Delta State’s commitment to working with relevant partners to ensure the project is realised.
According to the governor, the proposed Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road is critical to the development of riverine communities and would help unlock economic opportunities in the area.
“We are ready to partner with the NDDC on this project because it is very important to people living in the riverine communities.
”Delta State believes in executing projects that people can see and appreciate,” he said.
However, Oborevwori stressed that the state government would only support the project if it is awarded to a credible and competent construction firm capable of delivering the work to completion.
He disclosed that the state government would establish a technical team to work with the NDDC and Chevron to review the project’s design, assess its current cost and determine the contributions expected from each stakeholder.
The team, he said, would also examine technical issues including the right-of-way, possible realignment of certain sections of the road and other factors necessary for the smooth execution of the project.
The governor added that Delta State has consistently demonstrated its willingness to support major infrastructure projects, including those initiated by the Federal Government, noting that several strategic road and flyover projects are currently being executed on federal roads within the state.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Sam Ogbuku, said the commission and Chevron were in Delta State to brief the governor on the progress made so far in discussions concerning the project.
Ogbuku explained that the road project had originally been awarded by the commission years ago but remained incomplete, prompting the NDDC to seek strategic partnerships to ensure its completion.
He said the renewed efforts were in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu that all abandoned projects across the Niger Delta region should be revived and completed.
“The benefit of this project to the region and to Delta State cannot be overemphasised. It is about 70 kilometres long with 29 bridges and it will open up the area for socio-economic development,” he said.
Ogbuku disclosed that Chevron had already secured approval from its joint venture partners to participate in the project and that several engagements had been held among the stakeholders to move the process forward.
He added that technical teams from the NDDC, Delta State Government and Chevron would meet to validate the existing design, review the project cost and conduct environmental and geotechnical studies.
According to him, community engagement would also be carried out to address right-of-way concerns and other issues that could affect the implementation of the project.
Speaking on behalf of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Dr. Segun Kuteyi expressed the company’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC and the Delta State Government to deliver the project.
Kuteyi noted that Chevron has operated in Nigeria for more than six decades and remains committed to supporting infrastructure development in its host communities.
He said the proposed road would strengthen connectivity between Warri and Escravos while providing significant benefits to communities and institutions in the region.
According to him, the Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko, as well as emerging small and medium-scale enterprises in the area, stand to benefit greatly from the project once completed.
Kuteyi emphasised that strong collaboration among stakeholders—including the Delta State Government, the NDDC, Chevron and its joint venture partners—would be essential to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
The stakeholders agreed to establish a joint technical committee that would review the project design, determine its final cost and define the responsibilities of each participating party before the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the commencement of the project.
