The Niger Delta Development Commission’s emergency restoration of the Irrua-Ewu-Agbede Road in Edo State’s Uhunwonde/Esan West Local Government Area is almost finished.
This was revealed by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC Managing Director, and Sir Victor Antai, the Executive Director of Projects, during their road inspection. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, announced the development in a statement.
While the remaining 1.7-kilometer Irrua stretch of the road is still under construction, with 300 meters of asphalting already finished, he expressed pleasure with the road’s progress, pointing out that the Ewu-Agbede segment was now motorable.
“We have successfully intervened in the Ewu-Agbede section of the road, which is now motorable. The remaining 1.7-kilometre Irrua section of the road is ongoing, and 300 metres of asphalting work has already been completed. The progress is impressive,” he said.
Ogbuku emphasized the road’s strategic significance, noting that it is an essential conduit between the North and South and contributes significantly to the economic development of the area.
He underlined that the project will make it easier for people, products, and services to travel. Ogbuku stated, “We chose to take on this project because this section of the busy Benin-Auchi route hasn’t been motorable in a while. This road used to have sections that were so deep that trailers could sink, but a lot has changed since then, particularly in the areas of sand-filling, stone base, earthwork, and asphalting.”
“The benefit of this project cannot be overemphasized because it is a link road to almost every part from the north to the south, where trucks and heavy vehicles transport agricultural and economic items to the south. If such a road is cut off, it will affect perishable food items and increase foodstuff prices.”
The NDDC Managing Director emphasized the project’s wider economic advantages by pointing out that it is a vital route for trucks and other heavy machinery carrying economic and agricultural commodities.
He emphasized that closing such a road would cause a disruption in the supply of perishable food goods and raise food costs.
“The importance of this road cannot be overstated. It connects almost every region from the north to the south, facilitating the movement of essential goods. If this route is blocked, it would significantly impact the economy, particularly the transportation of perishable goods,” he added.
Ogbuku also pointed out that upon completion, the Irrua-Agbede project would connect with the Benin-Irrua road project, which is being executed by the Federal Ministry of Works.
