Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Monday, flagged off the construction of the N59.7 billion Agbor/Uromi Junction Flyover in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.
At the epochal event of groundbreaking for the project, he described the project as a critical intervention aimed at improving road safety, preserving lives, and boosting economic activities across the state and beyond.
Governor Oborevwori said the flyover was conceived out of the urgent need to address persistent traffic congestion and frequent accidents at the busy Agbor/Uromi Junction, which, he noted, had, over the years, claimed lives and destroyed property.
According to him, the dangerous intersection among vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians on the federal highway, coupled with poor traffic management, made a lasting solution inevitable.
He disclosed that the contract for the design and construction of the flyover had been awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, with a completion timeline of 14 months.
The project, he explained, includes a 1.3-kilometre flyover bridge along the Uromi–Agbor Highway, dual carriageways with two lanes in each direction, ramps, roundabouts, concrete drainage systems, kerbs, and solar-powered streetlights to enhance safety and sustainability.
Governor Oborevwori, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, and other top government functionaries for the groundbreaking ceremony, stressed the strategic importance of the corridor, describing it as a major economic and transportation link connecting the Eastern and Western parts of the Niger Delta, while also serving as a gateway to the North.
“Anyone travelling from Lagos to the East or from the East to the West must pass through this route. Its importance to the national economy cannot be overstated,” he said.
He noted that upon completion, the flyover would significantly enhance mobility, reduce travel time, expand economic opportunities, and safeguard the lives of thousands of Nigerians who ply the route daily.
The governor also highlighted the employment opportunities the project would generate for engineers, artisans, labourers, transporters, food vendors, and others across the construction value chain.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive and balanced development, Oborevwori said the state government had injected N100 billion as a special intervention fund, allocating N4 billion each to the 25 local government areas for infrastructure development, in addition to other sectoral investments.
He added that Ika South Local Government Area was also benefiting from other major projects, including the N15.4 billion contract awarded for 13.3 kilometres of concrete drainage systems and five kilometres of road construction to address flooding and erosion, as well as the planned N12 billion 15-kilometre Okpe–Abavo–Ekuku-Agbor Road.
“As a government, we award contracts strictly on merit and competence. Excellence will always attract further patronage,” the governor assured, expressing confidence that the flyover would be completed on schedule.
Earlier, the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, described the Agbor/ Uromi Junction Flyover as a monumental and impactful project, commending Governor Oborevwori for sustaining continuity and translating plans into tangible development.
He said the scale and spread of infrastructure projects across the state under the current administration reflected purposeful and people-oriented governance.
Okowa also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the ongoing economic reforms, though initially challenging, were deliberately steering Nigeria toward a more sustainable future.
The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, described Governor Oborevwori as an audacious and workaholic leader, reminding the Ika Nation of the many infrastructure projects executed by the administration in the area and urged continued support for the governor in the years ahead.
Mr Frederich Weiser who spoke on behalf of the management and Board of Directors of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government for the confidence reposed in it through the award of the project.
The firm pledged to deliver the flyover to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency, and to complete it on schedule with minimal disruption, drawing on its experience with similar projects across the state, including the Ughelli Flyover.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Chiedu Ebie, assured of the commission’s readiness to collaborate with the Delta State Government to complete the Abraka–Obiaruku–Abavo–Agbor Road, describing it as a vital feeder route to the new flyover.
Chairman of Ika South Local Government, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior described the flyover as a “project of destiny” and thanked Governor Oborevwori for what he called action-driven leadership, including the restoration of electricity to communities that had been without power for over 14 years.
Other speakers, including the member representing Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Victor Nwokolo; APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka; the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, HRM Benjamin Ikechukwu, Keagborekuzi I, and President-General of Agbor Community Union, Prof. Onyemaechi Ugboh, commended Governor Oborevwori for his massive infrastructure drive and assured him of their unwavering support.
