The Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement, ISRCA, also known as “No Justice, No Peace,” has accused the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori and political actors from the region of neglecting the Warri, Effurun, Sapele, Benin expressway over the years.
The group said it will not blame President Bola Tinubu for the deplorable state of the road because Oborevwori like other Niger Delta governors, federal lawmakers and politicians ply the road to their constituencies.
The concerns raised by the group is contained in a statement sent to DAILY POST and signed by the ISRCA National Coordinator, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen in Warri.
The group noted that the Niger Delta region which is the major source of crude oil in the country lacks well-maintained and motorable roads, alleging negligence by those with power to change the situation.
The statement read, “How can a federal road connecting two major oil-producing states be in such a deplorable state, while the Governors of these states are publicly praising the APC government, ostensibly due to their re-election aspirations in 2027?
“In all candor, this situation would be unimaginable in Western and Northern Nigeria, as evidenced by the chronic neglect of the Warri/Effurun/Sapele/Benin expressway over the years.”
”The Federal Government of Nigeria ought to prioritize the Warri, Effurun/Sapele/Benin road. These roads should not merely be motorable but should be among the best roads under federal jurisdiction, considering that these regions bear the nation’s burden as sources of her nation’s wealth.
“It shouldn’t just be an option but significant, instead of opting to construct another road that currently leads to nowhere, and even propose to renovate the 3rd mainland bridge at a cost of trillions.
“The Lagos Coastal road, Lagos Airport, and the Lagos Bridges are not the only infrastructure projects required. Where is Senator Engineer David Nweze Umahi, CON, the Minister of Works?
“This is the Benin/Warri Express Way, connecting the heartbeat (Edo) and big heart (Delta) of Nigeria.
“Edo State Governor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, the self-acclaimed new sheriff in town, please allocate sufficient attention to these roads.
“Their rehabilitation should not pose a significant challenge. While you focus on addressing cultism and other crimes in your state, consider diverting some attention to infrastructural development, utilizing the funds allocated to the State treasury.
‘Governor RT. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, please provide urgent attention to the Benin/Sapele Expressway. Alternative routes through the Aziza community and the Sapele Amukpe road are deteriorating rapidly and will soon be in a similarly poor state as the expressway. Heavy operational vehicles, tankers, and trucks should be prohibited from traversing these communities as they cause further damage to the roads. Rehabilitating the Benin/Sapele road would not be excessively costly.”
