The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has inaugurated the 33.5-kilometre Elele-Egbeda-Omoku dual carriageway in Rivers State, that connects Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Performing the ceremony, the Vice President commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for deploying public funds to the mega project, pointing out that it is in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to deploying resources for the betterment of citizens and society.
He described infrastructure development as a means of creating and distributing opportunities across the country, noting that a nation becomes congested when opportunities are limited.
The Vice President, made it clear that every piece of infrastructure creates another opportunity for citizens, emphasizing that the responsibility of government is to ensure that such opportunities are spread across the country.
Senator Shettima who maintained that when a road works, society works, noted that the completion of the project is a demonstration that government is a continuum and that governance must build on previous achievements.
In his speech, Governor Siminalayi Fubara said the presence of the Vice President at the commissioning is significant because it reaffirmed that Rivers State is an integral part of Nigeria, revealing that he had previously felt that Rivers State was being treated as though it was not part of the country.
Governor Fubara expressed confidence that the completed road would contribute to improving security in the area, pointing out that its previous deplorable condition made it a corridor for kidnapping and oil bunkering activities.
While expressing joy over the realization of the project, he stated that the most important achievement is the ability to leave behind visible projects that would demonstrate that his administration meant well for the people of Rivers State.
According to him, the completion of the project would strengthen his party’s campaign efforts, given the impact of the road on the lives and economic activities of the people.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, described the project as another manifestation of the state government’s ambition to provide durable road infrastructure that would connect communities, ease transportation and improve the state’s economy.
The 33.5-kilometre Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road, with its 99-metre bridge, which was awarded in March 2024 with a completion period of 24 months, is expected to provide an important link between the three local government areas and enhance movement of people, goods and services across the communities.
