BY SUNDAY EGEDE
Agbor, the headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, no doubt, is an ancient town that is fast becoming a city of reckoning owing to the gradual and impressive urbanisation of the area. The establishment of the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, by the immediate past administration of Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa and the central location of the town have, indeed, enhanced the status of Agbor.
Talking about the centrality of its location, the ever-busy Asaba/Benin expressway, which is an axial road that traverses Agbor, has a strategic intersection at a popular place called Uromi Junction, from where one can travel to the northern, western and eastern parts of the country as well as other parts of the South-South geopolitical zone.
The Uromi Junction is a very busy junction in Agbor that should have long attracted a flyover bridge to significantly reduce road crashes that have led to loss of lives and property along that corridor over the years. Unfortunately, when Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration dualised the Benin/Asaba expressway, the Uromi Junction in Agbor was, regrettably, not considered for a flyover bridge.
The dualisation of the axial road only reduced the travel time from Benin to Asaba and at the same time raised safety concerns, especially at the Uromi Junction axis of the dual carriageway, as lots of lives and property have been lost as a result of road crashes at the Agbor intersection of the expressway.
Worried by this troubling development, residents of Agbor and its environs have been clamouring for the construction of a flyover bridge at the intersection of the road (Uromi Junction). Luckily, respite came their way as the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration awarded a contract for the construction of the Flyover Bridge at Uromi Junction to be undertaken by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC at a cost of N59.7 billion.
Only recently, the Governor flagged off the construction of the project with a ground-breaking ceremony held at the project site in Agbor to the admiration of residents in the area who came out enmasse to witness the historic event. At the epochal ceremony, Governor Oborevwori described the project as a critical intervention aimed at improving road safety, preserving lives, and boosting economic activities across the state and beyond.
He said the flyover was conceived out of the urgent need to address persistent traffic congestion and frequent accidents at the busy Agbor/Uromi Junction, which, he noted, had, over the years, claimed lives and destroyed property.
According to him, the dangerous intersection among vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians on the federal highway, coupled with poor traffic management, made a lasting solution inevitable. He disclosed that the contract for the design and construction of the flyover had been awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, with a completion timeline of 14 months.
The project, he explained, includes a 1.3-kilometre flyover bridge along the Uromi–Agbor Highway, dual carriageways with two lanes in each direction, ramps, roundabouts, concrete drainage systems, kerbs, and solar-powered streetlights to enhance safety and sustainability.
Governor Oborevwori, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, and other top government functionaries for the groundbreaking ceremony, stressed the strategic importance of the corridor, describing it as a major economic and transportation link connecting the Eastern and Western parts of the Niger Delta, while also serving as a gateway to the North.
“Anyone travelling from Lagos to the East or from the East to the West must pass through this route. Its importance to the national economy cannot be overstated,” the Governor said, noting that upon completion, the flyover would significantly enhance mobility, reduce travel time, expand economic opportunities, and safeguard the lives of thousands of Nigerians who ply the route daily.
The governor also highlighted the employment opportunities the project would generate for engineers, artisans, labourers, transporters, food vendors, and others across the construction value chain.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive and balanced development, Governor Oborevwori said the state government had injected N100 billion as a special intervention fund, allocating N4 billion each to the 25 local government areas for infrastructure development, in addition to other sectoral investments.
He added that Ika South Local Government Area was also benefiting from other major projects, including the N15.4 billion contract awarded for 13.3 kilometres of concrete drainage systems and five kilometres of road construction to address flooding and erosion, as well as the planned N12 billion 15-kilometre Okpe–Abavo–Ekuku-Agbor Road.
“As a government, we award contracts strictly on merit and competence. Excellence will always attract further patronage,” the governor assured, expressing confidence that the flyover would be completed on schedule.
Earlier, the immediate past Governor of the state, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa, described the Agbor/Uromi Junction Flyover as a monumental and impactful project, commending Governor Oborevwori for sustaining continuity and translating plans into tangible development.
He said the scale and spread of infrastructure projects across the state under the current administration reflected purposeful and people-oriented governance.
Okowa also used the occasion to commend President Bola Tinubu, noting that the ongoing economic reforms, though initially challenging, were deliberately steering Nigeria towards a more sustainable future.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, described Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as an audacious and workaholic leader whose massive infrastructure drive has continued to shock critics and silence naysayers across the state.
Comrade Izeze said the scale, pace and spread of ongoing and completed projects under Governor Oborevwori’s administration clearly demonstrated purposeful governance anchored on the needs of the people.
According to him, the Uromi Junction Flyover is the fifth flyover project embarked upon by the administration since it assumed office, following those at PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout, Enerhen Junction and Otovwodo Junction. He explained that the flyover was designed to permanently address traffic congestion and frequent accidents along the ever-busy Uromi–Agbor corridor.
The Commissioner commended the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Chiedu Ebie, for his commitment towards the reconstruction of the Abraka–Abavo–Agbor Road, as well as the Agbor–Igbanke and Agbor–Uromi roads, noting that the completion of the routes would effectively connect and maximise the benefits of the flyover, which is expected to be delivered within 14 months.
Comrade Izeze also reminded the people of Ika Nation, particularly residents of Agbor, of other ongoing and completed infrastructure projects in the area, including the construction of Mariere Road and Sunny Ogwu Road. He added that Ika South Local Government Area was further benefiting from a N15.4 billion contract for 13.3 kilometres of concrete drainage systems and five kilometres of road construction aimed at addressing flooding and erosion challenges.
On his part, Mr Frederich Weiser, who spoke on behalf of the management and Board of Directors of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government for the confidence reposed in it through the award of the project.
Mr Weiser assured that they will deliver the flyover to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency, adding that the project will be completed on schedule with minimal disruption, drawing on its experience with similar projects across the state, including the Ughelli Flyover.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Chiedu Ebie, assured of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with the Delta State Government to complete the Abraka–Obiaruku–Abavo–Agbor Road, describing it as a vital feeder route to the new flyover.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ika South Local Government, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior described the flyover as a “project of destiny,” and thanked Governor Oborevwori for what he called action-driven leadership, including the restoration of electricity to communities that had been without power for over 14 years.
Other speakers, including the member representing Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Victor Nwokolo; National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Felix Morka and the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, HRM, Benjamin Ikechukwu, Keagborekuzi I, commended Governor Oborevwori for his massive infrastructure drive and assured him of their unwavering support.
According to the Agbor monarch, ‘’We are very grateful. You (Governor Oborevwori) have touched every senatorial district, and we thank you for what you have continued to do. We thank you for giving us that link with the Federal Government. We appreciate you, Your Excellency, and we wish you all the best’’
Speaking on behalf of Agbor Community Union (ACU) worldwide, the President-General of Agbor Community, Prof Onyemechi Ugboh, who applauded Governor Oborevwori for the approval and official ground-breaking ceremony of the project, said sons and daughters of Agbor Community, both at home and in the diaspora, were grateful to the Governor over the flyover project.
“I wish to thank God especially for the gift of life to witness this day and for the gift of our Charismatic Governor, Rt. Hon, Sheriff Oborevwori. I wish to use this medium to also appreciate our Royal Majesty, Dr Benjamin Ikenchuku (CON), under whose reign, we are witnessing this epoch-making event and Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, the Chairman of Ika South Local Government Council, under whose administration Agbor has witnessed great transformation within a short period,” he said.
Prof Ugboh disclosed that Governor Oborevwori will never be forgotten in a hurry for edifying Agbor metropolis in particular and Agbor Community as a whole “with such a monument that will transform the landscape of Agbor Kingdom forever.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Fada Ibude, applauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his sustained and massive infrastructural development across the state.
Hon. Ibude, who spoke in an interview with The Pointer at Agbor during the historic ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a flyover bridge at Agbor, said Governor Oborevwori deserved commendation as a result of the numerous people-centred projects of his administration.
He noted that the people of Ika South Local Government Area were indeed proud of Oborevwori’s infrastructural development exploits in the state, adding that they were elated to identify with the policies and programmes of his administration in all sectors of the state’s economy.
The APC chairman particularly noted that the construction of the Flyover Bridge at Uromi Junction, Agbor, was a game changer in the development trajectory of Agbor and its environs, pointing out that the project would expand the frontiers of socio-economic activities in the area when completed.
“Apart from providing safety on the Uromi Junction corridor of the Asaba/Benin expressway, the flyover bridge will immensely boost socio-economic activities in the area.
“We, members of APC in Ika South, are pleased to identify with our amiable Governor for embarking on projects that have direct impacts on the socio-economic lives of Deltans.
“Governor Oborevwori has clearly shown that he is indeed a governor for all Deltans through the equitable distribution of legacy projects spread across the state,” Hon. Fada said.
Similarly, in a statement issued in Abuja, the ruling party applauded the governor for performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Uromi Junction Flyover in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, on Monday, January 19, 2026.
According to the APC, the Agbor flyover addresses a long-standing safety concern at a notorious interchange that has claimed numerous lives through frequent road accidents over the years.
The party noted that the project fulfills the long-held aspirations of the people of Agbor and Ika Nation for decisive government intervention.
While acknowledging Agbor as the immediate beneficiary, the APC emphasised that the flyover holds national significance, given its strategic location linking major routes to Nigeria’s East, West, North and South-South regions.
The party said the project would ease traffic congestion, enhance security, boost economic activity and improve the overall wellbeing of commuters and residents.
The party further highlighted that the Agbor ceremony came barely a week after the governor flagged off the ₦39.3 billion Otovwodo Junction Flyover in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area.
With ongoing projects at PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout and Enerhen Junction, the APC noted that five flyovers are currently under construction across Delta State, underscoring the administration’s resolve to expand urban infrastructure and improve living standards.
Beyond road infrastructure, the APC praised the governor’s MORE Agenda—Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms and Enhanced peace and security, citing interventions such as the clearance of pension and gratuity backlogs, investments in human capital development, monthly stipends for 10,000 widows, MSME recapitalisation in partnership with the Bank of Industry, improved funding for tertiary institutions, and the acquisition of advanced diagnostic equipment for state hospitals.
The party also acknowledged Governor Oborevwori’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that improved federal allocations to sub-national governments have strengthened the state’s capacity to deliver dividends of democracy.
It recalled that in April 2025, Oborevwori led the entire structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State into the APC, a move it said inspired other opposition governors to support the president’s economic reforms.
The APC urged the governor to sustain his commitment to people-oriented governance, commending what it described as the impactful deployment of state resources in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the benefit of all Deltans.
