Again! Abraka residents call on Governor Oborevwori over deployable road networks

Residents of Abraka in Ethiope East Local Government Area, have again, called on the Governor of Delta State, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori to pay proper attention to  deployable road networks that cut across six local governments namely: Okpe, Ethiope East, Ukwani, Ughelli North, Ika South, and Ika North East LGAs in the state and effect repairs.

PEBNEWS reports that farmers in the university community with business concerned indigenes lamented that their businesses are seriously  affected as a result of the bad roads while transporters said their vehicles are destroyed daily as they visit the mechanic at least twice a week.

Findings showed that the residents in the affected LGAs are basically involved in farming activities, and if the road networks are fixed, they will help reduce prices of food stuffs/commodities which may also solve the challenges of inflation as regards commodities in the state in particular and country at large.

Recall that the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on New Media, Mr. Felix Ofou gave the assurance in an exclusive chat with DBS Television in Asaba on September 12, 2023, that action will be taken to effect repairs on the roads to make them motorable. However, findings showed that the Government has not shown up until now to act on its promise to Deltans in this regard.

According to Dr. Morrison Jessa, leader of a group  that advocates for the good of Abraka Road networks  said: "The current state of Abraka-Eku Road is below standard from what was promised by the Government of the day. The Federal road is completely unmotorable. It seems the Federal Government has completely neglected Abraka and surrounding communities. Instead of the Federal Government to embark on proper repairs of the major roads, some parts of  the old road are  currently being reconstructed while some bad spots are being filled up.

"The State Government is now the one responsible for the construction of the road  through Obakpor Construction Company. However, the construction appears to be at slow pace  because, the contractor has not shown a strong commitment: a swift and quality delivery of the project. Only a small portion of Abraka main town: Ovade Street Junction to College Road Junction that has been tarred.

"Not long after the front of campus 2 gate was tarred, potholes appeared. The potholes have been filled twice, but they keep coming back," Morrison stated.

Meanwhile, an indigene who identified himself as Mr. Enu Festus, an MTN agent said: "Despite the fact that the road is Federal road, it's the Deltans that are  using it mostly. The Urhobos and Agbors are the most benefactors, so I'm pleading with Mr. Governor to please rehabilitate it to be accessible, and l know Delta State will not regret rehabilitating Agbor-Abraka-Eku Road. Other state governors rehabilitate federal roads, and it's for their own benefit, so I beseech my governor to do the same.

"We are still able to ply the road till now due to the  efforts made by Earlyson Grillz and Goldscoop Gelato Restaurant and Lounge, individuals who jointly organised themselves and  hired wheelbarrow boys to fill some bad spots of the roads with rocks and capcut stones," he added.

In an interview with the CEO of Goldscoop Gelato, Mrs. Agbonifo Anita, she  confirmed how bad the road is and the efforts she had put in, making  the road accessible because it is affecting their businesses.

Mrs. Anita, who was represented by Caleb Omo-Ogboi, a worker in Goldscoop Gelato said: "My Boss has been putting much efforts so that the road is accessible. Although, our present Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has promised to do something about it, nothing has been done yet, we're still waiting. We pray that he does something about the road.

"In terms of our business, it's affecting us so badly. Customers can't drive down to our shop, motorcycles can't bring passengers to patronize us. I believe most of our customers now channel their patronage  to other shops and  that reduces our profit margin in our business. If repairs are effected on the road, definitely, our business would experience boom", he stated.