By Sunday Egede
The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has provided clarification on the ongoing debate surrounding the Olomoro–Igbide road project, following reports suggesting that it is a Federal Government intervention project under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Aniagwu, in a statement yesterday, said contrary to claims circulating on social media, the project was neither conceived nor funded by the Federal Government but was duly approved and executed by the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He explained that the State Executive Council approved the construction of the Olomoro–Igbide road in August 2024 as part of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda on rural infrastructure, adding that the site was handed over to Lebtech Construction on November 24, 2024.
He said that all along, the project was wholly funded by the state government, completed to specification and now awaits formal inauguration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Olomoro–Igbide road is a Delta State Government project. It was approved by the State Executive Council on August, 2024 under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“The state government provided full funding, and the project has been delivered to the people of Olomoro and Igbide communities in line with specification”, Aniagwu stated.
The Commissioner recalled several supervisory visits he personally undertook to the project site, including joint inspections with Governor Oborevwori and the State Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, an illustrious son of Igbide kingdom.
“I personally supervised the project at different stages of construction to ensure standards were upheld. On different occasion, His Excellency, Governor Oborevwori, and the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme led members of the state’s project monitoring committee on inspection to ascertain progressive milestones on the Olomoro-Igbide road project.
“We saw first-hand, the quality of work delivered, and I can confidently say this is a state-driven project ready for inauguration”, he added.
Aniagwu was reacting to a report by Tracka, which claims to be a civic group known for monitoring projects nationwide, which had in a recent Facebook post claimed to be tracking the Olomoro project as a federally funded intervention under the NDE.
The group also alleged that while the Olomoro–Igbide stretch had been asphalted, drainage works were yet to be completed at the Olomoro end.
While commending Tracka for its efforts in promoting accountability, the Commissioner urged the organization to verify facts more diligently to avoid misinforming the public.
“In this case, their claim was misleading. The Olomoro–Igbide road has nothing to do with the Federal Government or the NDE.
“It is purely a Delta State Government initiative under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Going forward, I urge them to exercise greater caution and courtesy in their reporting so that citizens are not misled”, he cautioned.
Aniagwu re-assured residents of Olomoro and Igbide that the road, which has been fully delivered, will soon be inaugurated, even as road users are already enjoying seamless motoring on the road.
The Olomoro-Igbide road and many of such across the state are part of the state government’s ongoing commitment to rural development and inclusive infrastructure growth.
