By Sunday Egede
The Delta State Government has dismissed claims that the Isoko Nation was sidelined in recent infrastructure approvals by the State Executive Council (EXCO), describing the allegations as misleading and not reflective of the administration’s equitable development agenda.
In a statement issued by Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the state government re-affirmed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration has continued to prioritize infrastructure development, healthcare and education in all parts of Delta State, including the Isoko Nation.
Aniagwu emphasized that contrary to such claims, the Isoko Nation has benefited immensely from the administration’s MORE Agenda, with over 53 strategic projects, either completed, ongoing or approved across Isoko North and Isoko South local government areas.
He said the projects cut across road infrastructure, internal road networks in rural and urban communities, healthcare upgrades and significant interventions in tertiary education.
Among key road projects being delivered in Isoko North, according to him, are the construction and rehabilitation of the Emevor-Ivrogbo-Orogun road (Phases I and II), the rehabilitation of the impacted section of the Ellu-Aradhe road and the construction of Urueode internal roads in Ofagbe.
The Commissioner said Akiewhe-Amiere-IDU secretariat road has also been rehabilitated, alongside the construction of Evemawoma Ogoma and Onome streets in Otor-Igho.
He listed others to include the construction of Ogoruba, Eduje Matthew and Enaruvbe streets in Otor-Igho; Otekpo road in Ellu; and the extensive rehabilitation of the Ekiugbo-Iyede/Oghara-Iyede/Emevor Old road with four newly constructed spurs, adding that construction of internal roads in Iyede, Iwride-Iyede, and Aradhe-Idoni-Ovrode is presently ongoing.
In Isoko South LGA, he said, numerous internal roads have been constructed across Oleh, Olomoro, Irri, Aviara, Okpolo-Enhwe, Emede, Igbide, Idheze, and Uzere, pointing out that some of the key projects included the Okpolo-Enhwe-Uwheru road (Phase III), Ajuwawa Layout roads in Uzere, Ojareda Enase street in Irri, Uruaka-Express Link Road in Emede, and the rehabilitation and overlay of the Edherie-Ase and Olomoro-Igbide roads.
Aniagwu further disclosed that the administration has also reconstructed the failed bridge approaches along Umeh road, rehabilitated sections of the Uzere-Asaba Ase road, and executed road works on the Enuru/Ukoli access road and Ukoli-Uruabe-Egbo-Uzude-Enuru Roads in Olomoro.
In the education sector, the Commissioner said, the Southern Delta University, Ozoro, has witnessed extensive transformation, including the recruitment of 75 academic staff, successful accreditation of new courses and the completion of key infrastructure, such as the Vice Chancellor’s lodge, administrative building and new Faculty of Health Sciences. These interventions, according to him, were complemented by the expansion of Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro, to accommodate a new College of Medical Sciences.
“The health sector has also seen remarkable improvements, especially at the primary level. Renovation works have been carried out at primary healthcare centres in Emevor, Oleh, Irri, Uruto, Ofagbe, Ellu, Iyede, Igbide, Okpe-Isoko and Enhwe. These facilities are now better equipped to provide quality health services to rural populations.
“Furthermore, the establishment of the College of Health Technology in Ovrode and the equipping of the General Hospital in Ozoro demonstrate government’s commitment to building sustainable healthcare infrastructure in Isoko Nation”, he said.
Aniagwu described these projects as tangible evidence of Governor Oborevwori’s determination to ensure balanced development across Delta State.
“The records speak for themselves. From roads and schools to health infrastructure, the Isoko Nation has been a major beneficiary of this administration’s development blueprint. No ethnic group has been excluded”, he stated.
He urged community leaders and residents to engage constructively and factually, noting that government welcomes feedback but will always respond with truth and transparency.
“Development is continuous. We appeal to our Isoko brothers and sisters to acknowledge what has been done and work with government in identifying new priorities. We remain committed to a Delta that works for all”, Aniagwu said.
