Minister Gives NDDC Marching Order To Speed Up Sapele-Benin Expressway, Inspects 15.4km Failed Portions In Edo, Delta

Minister Gives NDDC Marching Order To Speed Up Sapele-Benin Expressway, Inspects 15.4km Failed Portions In Edo, Delta

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has given the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, a marching order to speed up the reconstruction of the Sapele-Benin Expressway, linking Edo and Delta States.

Momoh gave the order during an on-the-spot inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of the damaged sections of the road. He was accompanied by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai.

During the inspection, the Minister expressed concern over the poor condition of the road. He urged the construction firm handling the project to increase the pace of work, restore the road fully and guarantee the safety of commuters and other road users.

Momoh Commends NDDC For 15.4km Intervention

The Minister commended the NDDC for taking on the reconstruction of the 15.4-kilometre failed sections of the Benin-Sapele Expressway.

He described the project as a major intervention that will ease movement and boost economic activities in Edo and Delta States.

He assured that all observations made during the inspection would receive the necessary attention, adding that relevant agencies and contractors would be encouraged to take appropriate measures to address the identified defects.

Momoh restated the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to provide durable road infrastructure to improve transportation and support economic activities in states along the East-West Road corridor.

NDDC Says Work Is In Stages Because Road Is Major South-South Artery

The NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, said the reconstruction will cover approximately 15.4 kilometres and assured that work on the failed sections will be accelerated.

He thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to developing the Niger Delta region, noting that the NDDC Board and management, led by Chairman Mr Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku, would deliver on the Commission’s mandate.

Antai said the Commission was committed to fully restoring the road.

He explained that in the past two months, the road had become very difficult to pass, causing serious hardship for motorists and residents, but the intervention of the NDDC has brought relief.

He added that the damaged sections under repair cover 15.4 kilometres, but repairs are being done in stages because the road is a major artery in the South-South region. According to him, the entire stretch cannot be shut down at once because of its importance to movement in the region.

Contractor: Work Will Finish In 3 Months If Weather Improves

The construction firm’s site manager, Engr. Michel Isah, assured that work would be completed in three months if the weather was favourable.

He said the work was delayed due to adverse weather conditions.

Some of the sections inspected are Ibada Elume in Warri-Sapele Local Government Area, Mosogar in Ethiope West LGA and Okwadede in Sapele LGA.

The Sapele-Benin Expressway remains one of the busiest routes connecting Edo and Delta States, serving commuters, traders and haulage vehicles along the East-West Road corridor.

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