The people of Oha, Orerokpe and Oviore in Okpe and Ethiope East Local Government Areas of Delta State are still basking in the euphoria of the completion of the road and bridge project linking them by the administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
They told NewsNet that the project will stimulate socio-economic development and are grateful to Governor Okowa for fulfilling his promise to execute the project.
The State Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, whose ministry supervised the project said, the road inaugurated by the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom has further demonstrated Okowa’s passion for the development of the state.
The 7.9 Kilometres Oha/Orerokpe/Oviore road is very dear to the people of the affected communities.
The road is famous for the popular Oha bridge which according to the Orodje of Okpe, Orhue The First was first constructed in 1936.
The Okpe monarch explained that it served as a link to the people of the area and stimulated economic growth.
The newly constructed Oha bridge, which has beside the old one-lane bridge, now provides unhindered access through Oha to Oviore linking the ever-busy Warri/Eku road.
Commercial activities have accelerated since the completion of the stretch of the road and the road users particularly commercial motorcycle riders are now going through less stress commuting their passengers.
Olorogun Artur Akpowowo whose Urban Renewal Ministry supervised the road project said despite the paucity of funds in 2016 when the Okowa administration awarded the contract for the road, the administration executed and completed the project because of its huge benefits to the people.
He said his ministry ensured that standards were strictly adhered to by the contracting firm in executing the project.
With the successful rehabilitation and overlay of the Oha/Orerokpe/Oviore road and bridge, the people are saying that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has broken the jinx surrounding the inability of successive administrations in the state since 1999 to complete the project.
The benefitting communities in Okpe and Ethiope East Local Government Areas say Governor Okowa has justified the nickname “The Road Master”.