PEBNEWS Publisher/Editor-in-chief appeals to Gov. Oborevwori to rehabilitate Sapele/Eku/Abraka Obiaruku/ Abavo/ Agbor Road

Worried by the deplorable state of Sapele/Eku/Abraka/Obiaruku/Abavo/Agbor Road which has hindered the social and economic life of Deltans, the Publisher/ Editor-in-chief, PEBNEWS, an online medium, Comrade Paul  Bebenimibo, Ph.D has appealed to the Delta  State  Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to personally take over the construction of the road to alleviate the suffering of Deltans in this direction.

In a press statement signed  and made available to newsmen by Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, said the deplorable state of the road, apart from being the cause of to the high cost of agricultural products in the state and other parts of Nigeria, the  bad road has contributed  to the  high cost of transportation and  hinders the growth of education especially, the higher institution in the state. According to him, the bad road has also caused the prevailing insecurity in Delta State.

The Human Rights Activist and  Advocate of Good Governance said, he is a regular user of the road adding that, although, the road is Federal Government one,  considering its social and economic importance to Deltans who the Governor forms a part, nothing wrong if he rehabilitates the road. 

Part of  the statement reads: "The road is dilapidated and unpassable now. I know that the road is a Federal road, which the Federal Government has purportedly worked on in the last 12 years or more. However, this road is right in the middle of Delta State, cutting-across eight Local Government Areas, including your local government area, Okpe".

According to Comrade Paul  Bebenimibo, PhD, a Lecturer in the department of mass communication, Abraka, said, other Deltans who suffer from the bad road include  but limited to  Ika South, Ika North East, Ukwani, Ethiope East, Sapele and Ughelli North Local Government Areas adding that, these  people from these local government areas have used this road before it became unpassable.

Part of the statement reads:"..
Even you, Mr Governor, have used this road from Asaba to Osubi, your home town and vice-versa, because it is shorter to use from Asaba to Osubi juxtaposed to wherever you use today.."

Comrade Bebenimibo, PhD who said he is a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served as a Board member of the immediate past Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) between 2019 and 2023  and  has  worked assiduously for Governor Oborevwori's  victory  in 2023 said, the  present state of the road is affecting the two Universities in Delta State, namely: Delta State University, Abraka and the University of Agbor which are  situated along the road as staff and students of the Ivory Towers  find it difficult to use the road at present.

According to Bebenimibo, PhD, it is imperative the road is rehabilitated on the ground that, it is Deltans that suffer from its bad state. 

Part of the statement reads: "Your Excellency Sir, the reason for not intervening on this road because it is a Federal road is untenable. It is Deltans that use this road; Deltans own farms along this road, and it is Deltans that are suffering". 
 
According to Comrade  Bebenimibo, PhD, if the Governor could contruct fly-overs on a Federal road in Warri and Effurun, he has no justification  not rehabilitate the road which is critical  for  Deltans, adding that, the Governor once used the road before it  got to this deplorable state.

While calling on the Governor to approach President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to  allow him to work on the  road, he urged him to borrow a leaf from his counterpart Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State who  acted similarly lately by taking over the rehabilitation of  70 kilometres Lagos to Abeokuta Expressway.

Comrade Bebenimibo, PhD also  reminded Governor Oborevwori of the former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyensom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory who  constructed 12 fly-overs on Federal roads in Rivers State to ease traffic in the South-South state. According to him, if the Governor said is a man of the people which he professed  during his  campaigns in 2023;  he  has  enough dosage of “street credibility” as a result,  it is now that has  to demonstrate it for his second tenure assurance come  (2027).

He therefore used the medium to pray for God's protection, guidance and blessings for the Governor  while he pilots the affairs of the  state in this regard.