(DDM) – Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has flagged off the ₦21.3 billion Ugbolu–Okpanam Road project in Oshimili North Local Government Area, describing it as a key step toward improving connectivity, agriculture, and commerce within the state.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the 12-kilometre dual carriageway project, handled by Levant Construction Limited, is expected to link several agrarian and growing urban communities, including Ugbolu, Okpanam, Ibusa, and Akwukwu-Igbo.
The governor said the massive investment aligns with his MORE Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure renewal, economic empowerment, and rural development.
According to Oborevwori, the road expansion will not only ease traffic congestion around the Asaba capital territory but also strengthen the agricultural value chain in the Oshimili axis, which supplies food items to major urban markets across Delta.
He noted that the Ugbolu–Okpanam corridor had long been neglected despite its economic significance, adding that his administration’s decision to intervene demonstrates a commitment to equitable development.
The governor stated that the project reflects Delta State’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the targets promoting resilient infrastructure, sustainable cities, and poverty reduction.
He assured the public that the contract had been awarded transparently and that Levant Construction had already received a 40 percent advance payment to ensure speedy mobilization to site.
Oborevwori further pledged that there would be no contract variations or cost adjustments midway, promising close supervision to guarantee value for money.
However, while supporters hail the project as a milestone, critics are questioning the timing, cost, and prioritization of projects within the state’s budget framework.
Some civil society groups argue that with widespread flooding, poor drainage systems, and unfinished road networks in several local government areas, allocating ₦21.3 billion to a 12km stretch appears excessive.
Economic observers in Asaba told DDM that the state government must publish the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and financial breakdown to assure the public of transparency, given Nigeria’s history of inflated infrastructure contracts.
Others, however, contend that Oborevwori’s decision to focus on the Ugbolu–Okpanam route is strategic, given its potential to decongest Asaba and open up surrounding communities for residential and commercial expansion.
The Ugbolu–Okpanam project is part of a broader network of infrastructural initiatives the governor has launched since assuming office in 2023, including road rehabilitations in Warri, Effurun, and Agbor, as well as the modernization of riverine transportation under the Delta Urban Renewal Scheme.
The new road, according to experts, could also facilitate real estate development and reduce travel time between the Asaba metropolis and adjoining towns, thereby boosting land value and small-scale investments.
As of press time, the contractor has commenced preliminary site clearing and soil stabilization, with full-scale construction expected to begin before the end of the month.
Residents of the area have expressed optimism that the project will end years of hardship caused by erosion and poor accessibility, while others hope it will not become another uncompleted political promise.
The ₦21.3 billion Ugbolu–Okpanam road project, therefore, stands at the intersection of promise and skepticism, a symbol of progress for some and a reminder of misplaced priorities for others, as Deltans continue to watch how Oborevwori’s government balances ambition with accountability.