By Sunday Egede
DELTA State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze has said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deliberately remembered Kokori and its historic “sweet crude” heritage through the ongoing ₦12 billion rehabilitation of the 35.32-kilometre Erhoike–Kokori–Isiokolo–Okpara-Inland–Ovu–Oviorie–Ekpan Road in Ethiope East Local Government Area.
Izeze spoke during an inspection tour of the project, describing the road intervention as a practical demonstration of Governor Oborevwori’s “Opportunities for All” agenda, particularly for communities that had suffered years of neglect.
“The Oborevwori ‘Opportunities for All’ is going round and it has reached Kokori,” the commissioner said, adding that “His Excellency has remembered that once upon a time there was a Kokori brand, there was a sweet crude, and the goose that lays the golden egg should also partake in the Ukodo.”
Recalling Kokori’s historical importance in Nigeria’s oil industry, Izeze noted that the community is home to Brent crude, popularly referred to as “Kokori sweet crude” due to its very low sulphur content.
“Kokori is historically where Brent crude comes from, regarded by the American Petroleum Institute as one of the sweetest crudes in the world. Yet, over the years, these communities have complained of neglect. They are the golden geese that lay the golden egg,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the ₦12 billion project covers the rehabilitation of failed sections of the road, stabilisation works and the application of asphalt overlay as the wearing course, alongside the reconstruction of culverts and drainage systems.
According to him, the inspection team visited a critical 1.3-kilometre drainage section in the Oviorie area designed to discharge storm water into the Ethiope River through Ovu, stressing that proper drainage is essential to the longevity of the road.
Izeze disclosed that the contractor, Levante, had been consistently on site for about three months, aside from the Christmas break, and resumed work fully in January.
“So far, the level of work is encouraging and the quality delivered is up to standard. We have worked with Levante before, and the quality of their work has always met the required engineering standards,” he stated.
He added that the inspection covered the entire stretch of the road, from Isiokolo through Kokori, Oviorie and Ovu to Ekpan, where it links with the Amukpe Expressway, to ensure that no section was overlooked.
Commending Governor Oborevwori for what he described as the courage to rehabilitate a road last worked on over 20 years ago, Izeze said the project reflects the governor’s commitment to inclusive governance.
He noted that Ethiope East Local Government Area is largely agrarian, with residents predominantly farmers and traders, adding that the road would significantly reduce travel time, ease the movement of farm produce and enhance commercial activities.
Izeze stressed that the rehabilitation project represents a deliberate effort by the Oborevwori administration to correct years of neglect and close infrastructural gaps in oil-producing and agrarian communities.
In a related development, the commissioner also inspected the ongoing construction of Okowa Crescent in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area, where he expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, noting that only minor technical adjustments were required.
