SAPELE, Delta State — Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has commended the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Delta State Government for commencing emergency intervention and rehabilitation of failed sections of the Benin-Sapele-Effurun Expressway.
Dafinone gave the commendation during the flag-off of the emergency intervention at the Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele, Delta State, where he joined representatives of the Delta State Government, the NDDC and other stakeholders.
The senator described the intervention as timely, saying it would ease the difficulties faced by motorists, commuters, businesses and communities along the strategic corridor connecting major parts of the Niger Delta.
He particularly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the management of the NDDC, led by its Chairman, Chiedu Ebie, and Managing Director/CEO, Samuel Ogbuku, as well as the Delta State Government, for responding to the concerns raised over the deplorable condition of the road.
According to him, the development is evidence that sustained engagement with the Federal Government, its agencies and the executive arm of government can produce tangible results.
“As your Senator and representatives of our people, we deliberately chose the path of critical and constructive engagement because our primary responsibility is to get things done.»
“I do not believe that every intervention must be turned into a public spectacle. Sometimes, quiet, persistent, and purposeful engagement produces better results than media engagement, especially when we are one government,” Dafinone said.
He recalled that the deteriorating condition of the Benin-Sapele-Effurun road had generated considerable public concern and media attention in recent weeks.
Dafinone said the NDDC had demonstrated the capacity of an interventionist agency to respond promptly to critical infrastructure challenges in the Niger Delta.
He noted that the NDDC team inspected the affected portions of the road from Benin through Sapele to Effurun on Tuesday and returned by Friday to flag off the rehabilitation.
“The NDDC team inspected the affected sections of the road from Benin through Sapele to Effurun on Tuesday, and by Friday, they were already here to flag off the rehabilitation. That speed of response is commendable and demonstrates what can be achieved when government agencies, political leaders and representatives of the people work together,” he said.
The senator said although the intervention was being launched at this time, efforts had been ongoing behind the scenes through engagements with relevant authorities and pressure for concrete action.
“I believe results, not rhetoric, should define our efforts, and today, those results are speaking for themselves,” he said.
Dafinone also commended the Delta State Government for supporting the intervention and adding its voice to efforts aimed at securing the rehabilitation of the road.
He disclosed that the current intervention covers about 15 kilometres of some of the worst-affected portions of the corridor, including the Ajomata/Ibada–Elume–Amukpe–Oghara axis.
While expressing satisfaction with the commencement of work, the senator stressed that more needed to be done, noting that several other federal roads across Delta Central remained in poor condition.
“Our goals may not have been met, but I am particularly pleased that the intervention which covers 15km of the worst portions of Ajomata/Ibada–Elume–Amukpe–Oghara is being targeted. Our people need more.
“There are so many more failed sections of Federal roads in Delta Central, and I will continue to push and press necessary buttons,” he said.
He added that the rehabilitation was being approached comprehensively, with contractors working from both ends of the affected corridor to ensure that no critical section was neglected.
According to him, the focus should remain on delivering relief to residents and road users rather than on who receives credit for the intervention.
“My concern is not about who takes the credit; my concern is that the road is fixed and our people get relief,” Dafinone said.
He expressed optimism that the rehabilitation would be completed promptly and bring significant relief, improved connectivity and renewed economic activity to communities along the Benin-Sapele-Effurun corridor.
